Reconstruction of foot burn contractures in children

W. E. Alison, M. L. Moore, D. A. Reilly, L. G. Phillips, R. L. McCauley, M. C. Robson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Burn scar contractures of the foot cause significant morbidity. We reviewed 68 children in regard to number and rates of burn scar contracture recurrence, surgical techniques, and functional and aesthetic results. Two surgical techniques of foot burn scar contracture release have been used. Originally, an incision over the metatarsal heads perpendicular to the line of the metatarsals, which releases the longitudinal arch of the foot was used. More recently, additional releasing incisions parallel to the plane of the metatarsals to release the transverse metatarsal arch have been used. The time between burn injury and primary burn scar contracture release was 4.18 ± 0.76 years, and the time until the first recurrence was 3.44 ± 0.46 years. With release of only the longitudinal arch, recurrence of burn scar contractures occurred in 3.5 ± 0.41 years and in 4.29 ± 1.27 years in six patients who also received release of the transverse arch. Wound closure at the time of acute burn with split-thickness skin graft expansion ratios of 1:2 and 1:4 had burn scar contractures that required release in 4.21 ± 0.70 and 2.29 ± 0.52 years, respectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-38
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • General Nursing
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Rehabilitation
  • General Health Professions

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reconstruction of foot burn contractures in children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this