OBJECTIVETo introduce a method for repairing and restoring hand function of the patients suffering from large surface area burn with scarce normal skin for reconstruction.

METHODSSeven patients (ten hands) were treated in our department from April 1994 to February 2001. The TBSA involved with second- or third-degree burns was 85%-96%. All the hands had severe scar contracture on the dorsum and lost most of their function. A scarred skin flap, based on the ulnar border of the hand was elevated integrally on the dorsum. A random-pattern abdominal flap at a less-scarred area was designed and elevated to cover the defect of the hand while the scarred skin flap of the hand was transferred to the donor site of the abdominal flap.

RESULTSAll patients were followed for 0.5 to 4 years postoperatively. The range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint and the space capacity of the first web were greatly improved. All patients regained self-care ability.

CONCLUSIONSThis method is simple and has satisfactory results. Under the circumstances where normal skin was not available for reconstruction, the function of the burned hand could be greatly improved by this method.