Ijaz Hussain Shah, Muhammad Bilal Saeed and Naheed Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the functional and aesthetic outcome of the use of supraclavicular artery flap versus skin graft in release of post burn mentosternal contractures, in terms of contracture reformation and aesthetic outcome.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the PIBC, Nishtar Medical University Multan from January, 2017 to January 2018.

Materials and Methods: This study included 60 patients of post burn mentosternal contracture divided in two groups A and B with 30 patients in each group, in group “A” skin grafting was done and in group “B” Supraclavicular artery flap was done after release of contracture. Functional and aesthetic out come in terms of contracture reformation, colour matching and texture was compared in both groups.

Results: The graft was “take” well as the functional and aesthetic outcome was good but reformation of contracture seen in 18 (60.0%) cases. The colour match was excellent in only 4 (13.3%) patients, good in 13 (43.3%) and satisfactory in 10 (33.3%) while poor results due to hyperpigmentation were seen in 3 (10.0%) patients. All flaps survived except in 04 case; due to formation of band in the suture line, the functional outcome was excellent in only 9 (30.0%) cases and good in 19 (63.3%) cases; 2(6.7%) cases had satisfactory results and no patient showed poor results after flap being done.

Conclusion: The aesthetic outcomes was excellent in 23 (76.7%) patients, good in 5 (16.7%) patients and 1 (3.3%) patient fell in satisfactory and poor group.

Key Words: Neck contracture, Supraclavicular artery flap, Skin grafting, Burn reconstruction

Citation of articles: Shah IH, Saeed MB, Ahmed N. Supraclavicular Flap as a Better Option Than Skin Graft in Postburn Mentosternal Contractures. Med Forum 2018;29(6):20-24.