Reconstruction of the Adult and Pediatric Burned Hand

Effectiveness of hand reconstruction techniques for the treatment of postburn contractures of the hand: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Despite the multitude of preventative methods, postburn hand contractures are poorly controlled and often require surgery. However, there is no consensus on which hand reconstruction technique is most efficacious. This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy of available postburn hand contracture reconstruction techniques over the long term and to evaluate the quality of current literature. Effectiveness is assessed with functional improvement, increase of skin surface area, and scar quality/enhanced cosmesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Four medical databases/registries were searched (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, EMBASE) alongside grey literature sources from December 2012 to November 2022 for randomized controlled trials and observational studies with ≥ 15 participants and ≥ 3-month follow-up. Exclusion criteria were acute burn management, non-burn/non-hand contractures, non-surgical management, other burn sequelae, non-English studies, and outcomes reports, reviews, communications, editorials, letters, case reports, and non-human studies. Quality was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and GRADE.

RESULTS

Seven observational studies (1310 patients) were eligible; three with a pre-/post-operative design and four comparative cohorts. Functional and aesthetic/scar quality outcomes for skin grafting and random or defined-vascularization flaps, complication rates and rehabilitation modalities were reported. No studies on dermal substitutes or utilising skin surface area measurements were identified. Significant risk of bias, indirectness and imprecision were noted in all studies, deriving from absence of randomization, blinding, or independent control groups; confounding; missing data; and subpar reporting. Owing to heterogeneity in outcome measures, meta-analysis was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

No consensus remains on the superiority of a single reconstruction technique. Meticulous preoperative planning and intensive rehabilitation are vital. A stepwise approach, considering individual patient and contracture characteristics and the limitations of each technique, should be followed. Well-designed and conducted future studies, utilizing reliable and validated contracture description methods and outcome assessment, are now imperative.

The Small Finger Reverse Ulnar Digital Artery Hypothenar Palmar Perforator Flap: An Anatomical Study With Clinical Examples

Background

Local flaps are commonly used for reconstruction of digital soft-tissue defects. There remains a paucity of options available for small finger volar and dorsal soft-tissue defects distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint. The purpose of this study was to analyze perforators along the hypothenar palmar region arising from the artery of the ulnar side of the small finger as it comes off the superficial palmar arch for consistency and potential to be used for perforator-based flap reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and joint coverage of the small finger.

Methods

Four cadaveric upper extremities were injected with Microfil silicone injection compound. Dissection was performed from the superficial palmar arch to the ulnar digital artery of the small finger, and perforators were identified and analyzed for consistency and utility. Flap elevation was performed based on these perforators in a small finger reverse ulnar digital artery fashion.

Results

All cadaveric dissections showed a suitable perforator pattern along the hypothenar palmar region with a minimum of 5 perforators available from which to base a flap to address dorsal and volar defects of the small finger. Two clinical examples are presented confirming the viability and utility of this flap.

Conclusions

A detailed anatomic study with 2 clinical examples of this retrograde pedicle island flap is presented. The small finger reverse ulnar digital artery hypothenar palmar-based perforator flaps are a viable option with a reliable perforator pattern, providing a functional solution for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and joint coverage of the small finger.

Managing Severe Postburn Wrist Flexion Contracture by Proximal Row Carpectomy and Abdominal Interpolation Flap

Introduction: Postburn upper extremity contractures can greatly diminish the quality of life. To successfully manage these contractures and achieve successful functional outcomes, an optimal surgical method should be planned to address all affected tissues on the extremities. Conventional soft tissue transfers after releasing the contracture, such as skin grafts or flaps, may be insufficient. In addition to capsulotomy, tendon release, and lengthening procedures, more aggressive modalities may be indicated. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who developed wrist flexion deformities due to burn injuries and underwent proximal row carpectomy and abdominal interpolation flaps were included. Results: Between January 2019 and June 2020, 5 patients underwent surgery using this technique. All patients were male, 2 had thermal burns, 2 had electrical burns, and 1 had chemical burns. Preoperatively, all patients had severe flexion deformities ranging from 70° to 85°. There were no postoperative complications, and stable wrists with a good and functional alignment were achieved, although the preoperative and postoperative range of motion differences were limited, where a postoperative range of motions were ranging from 5 to 15 in terms of extension, 15 to 20 in terms of flexion. Preoperative QuickDash scores were between 79.5 and 95.5, postoperative scores ranged from 25 to 36.4. Conclusion Proximal row carpectomy shortens the length of the wrist, resurfaces the wrist joint, and provides a release in tendons and other soft tissues. Together with soft tissue transfer, this technique can be used for severe wrist flexion contractures.

Pedicled Groin Flap for Reconstruction of Combined First Webspace and Dorsal Hand Contracture

Background. The combination of first webspace and dorsal hand contracture is a challenging reconstructive problem. Complete soft tissue release results in a large wraparound defect that spans the radial side of the palm, first webspace, and the transverse dimension of the entire dorsal hand. In these situations local tissue is often compromised, and free flap reconstruction is commonly indicated. However, in cases where patients are unwilling or unable to undergo microsurgical reconstruction, regional tissue transfer provides an alternative reconstructive strategy. This case report describes a series of 3 patients with severe combined contractures of the first webspace and dorsal hand. Each patient was relatively contraindicated for local or free tissue transfer and was treated with 2-stage selective contracture release with progressive dorsal then volar defect creation and coverage using a pedicled groin flap. This operation requires thoughtful planning during soft tissue release to coordinate staged, dorsal then volar, defect creation with the progressive liberation of the groin flap at its distal and then proximal ends.

Reconstruction of the Upper Extremity High-Voltage Electrical Injury: A Pediatric Burn Hospital's 13-Year Experience

High-voltage electrical injury is a rare yet destructive class of burn injury that persists as a serious public health issue. High-voltage exposure is commonly associated with complex wounds to the upper extremities, which can be a significant challenge for burn and plastic surgeons to reconstruct. This intensive and multistage reconstructive process is especially difficult in the growing child. Maximizing upper extremity function is a top priority, as it can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Therefore, this retrospective review describes lessons learned during a 13-year experience at a specialized pediatric burn hospital with reconstruction of the upper extremity after severe high-voltage injury in 37 children. We found that adherence to the following principles can help promote meaningful functional recovery. These include: (1) frequent assessment during early acute care for the evolving need of decompression or amputation, (2) serial surgical debridement that follows a tissue-sparing technique, (3) wound closure by skin grafting or use of flaps (particularly groin or abdominal pedicled flaps) when deep musculoskeletal structures are involved, (4) early multidisciplinary intervention for contracture prevention and management including physical and occupational therapy, splinting, and fixation, (5) secondary reconstruction that focuses on the simplest possible techniques to repair chronic skin defects such as laser therapy, local tissue rearrangements, and skin grafting, (6) complex secondary reconstruction to address deeper tissue contractures or tendon and peripheral nerve deficits, and (7) amputation with preservation of growth plates, soft tissue transfer, and long-term prosthetic management when limb salvage is unlikely.

Five Essential Principles for First Web Space Reconstruction in the Burned Hand

BACKGROUND

Burn injuries commonly affect the hand, and the development of adduction contractures of the first web space is frequent and deleterious, both functionally and aesthetically. Many corrective techniques and algorithmic approaches have been described to treat this problem, but there is no consensus on the optimal management.

METHODS

A retrospective review at a single high-volume pediatric burn center was undertaken to evaluate the clinical course of these patients. All pediatric patients undergoing initial release of burn scar contracture of the first web space from 2005 through 2015 were included in a retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS

The authors identified 40 patients with 57 burned hands. The initial approach to management was variable. Z-plasty or other local flap was the first technique used in 28 hands (49 percent), split-thickness skin graft in 19 hands (33 percent), full-thickness skin graft in seven hands (12 percent), groin flaps in two hands (4 percent), and a reverse radial forearm flap in one hand (2 percent). The mean numbers of total reconstructive procedures per hand including the initial procedure were as follows: groin flap, 4.0; full-thickness skin graft, 3.1; split-thickness skin graft, 2.1; Z-plasty, 1.4; and reverse radial forearm flap, 1.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful reconstruction of the first web space must be addressed in the context of the entire hand. It is the authors' preference to use split-thickness skin grafting whenever a skin deficiency is present-only then should leading edge contractures be addressed with Z-plasty. Based on their experience, the authors recommend five principles that are essential to successfully treat postburn contractures of the first web space.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.