Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery  2013;19(3):148-153

doi:10.14730/aaps.2013.19.3.148

Aesthetic Improvement of Burn Scar by Tangential Excision and Thin Split Thickness Skin Graft.

So Min HWANG 1 ; Jang Hyuk KIM ; Hyung Do KIM ; Yong Hui JUNG ; Hong Il KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Postburn scar; Tangential excision; Thin skin graft

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Burn injuries of the extremity can result in cosmetically offensive appearance. Postburn scar can improve by the combination of tangential excision and thin split-thickness skin graft. METHODS: From January 2005 and December 2012, 17 patients (10 males and 7 females) with postburn scar of the extremity underwent the combined techniques. The median time from initial injury to surgery was 66.2 months (range: 11-288 months). In the operation, burn scar was excised until viable dermis could be observed using electrical dermatome, after which thin split thickness skin graft was performed. RESULTS: Tangential excision and thin split thickness skin graft gave excellent grafting results without the need of reoperation. Depigmentation in the majority of patients were recovered within a year by the operation of thin split thickness skin graft. Recovery of range of motion and cosmetic results were good in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tangential excision and thin split thickness skin graft are a good way of the reconstruction of deformed and depigmented skin from burns on extremity.