PLASTIC SURGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE TREATMENT OF BURN ABNORMAL SCARS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Chiubra PRICOPE; Sidonia-Petronela SUSANU; Ioana-Cezara CABA; B. CABA

Chiubra PRICOPE “Sf. Maria” Emergency Children Hospital, Iasi
Sidonia-Petronela SUSANU “Sf. Maria” Emergency Children Hospital, Iasi
Ioana-Cezara CABA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
B. CABA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Keywords: BURNS, HYPERTROPHIC SCARS, KELOID SCARS, SKIN FLAPS, SKIN GRAFTS, EXPANDER, Z-PLASTY

Abstract

Post-burn scars have a major impact on the quality of life of pediatric patients, both from a psychological and functional point of view. Pediatric patients with post-burn scars usually have difficulties integrating into the collective due to the low self-esteem determined by the poor aesthetic outcome of the deep or large burns. From a functional standpoint, burn contractures are a significant cause of disability in burn survivors worldwide, as they can affect the tendons and muscles or impair joint mobility. The statistical information that results from this study plays a role in improving the therapeutic protocol. The reconstruction methods of post-burn abnormal scars can be used in order to prevent or to treat the psychological consequences and the functional disability of the affected segment. Material and methods: The study includes a group of 147 patients aged between 1-24 years, male and female, admitted through the emergency or outpatient service in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery in the “Sf. Maria” Emergency Children Hospital Iasi. Results: From the total number of pediatric patients with post-burn scarring sequelae (n=147), 32.65% (n=48) were treated by local triangular skin flaps plasty, 18.36% (n=27) by full-thickness skin graft plasty, 12.92% (n=19 ) by scar excision and suture, 11.56% (n=17) by tissue expander implant, 7.48% (n=11) by employing the Z-plasty technique, 5.44% (n=8) by associating a local triangular skin flap with a full-thickness skin graft, 5.44% (n=8) by combining Z-plasty with a full-thickness skin graft, 2.04% (n=3) benefited from plasty with synthetic dermis (Integra®), 1.36% (n=2) were treated by degranulation, 1.36% (n=2) by Triamcinolone injection, less than 1% (n=1) of patients received dermabrasion or hair transplantation. Conclusions: Skin flaps represent the most effective and frequently utilized method of treatment of post-burn scar sequelae.

Author Biographies

Chiubra PRICOPE, “Sf. Maria” Emergency Children Hospital, Iasi

Department of Plastic Surgery

Sidonia-Petronela SUSANU, “Sf. Maria” Emergency Children Hospital, Iasi

Department of Plastic Surgery

Ioana-Cezara CABA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Toxicology

B. CABA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Faculty of Medical Bioengineering
Department of Biomedical Sciences

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