CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2012; 39(06): 649-654
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2012.39.6.649
Original Article

Elbow Reconstruction Using Island Flap for Burn Patients

Gi Yeun Hur
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Woo Jin Song
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Jong Wook Lee
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Hoon Bum Lee
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Sung Won Jung
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Jang Hyu Koh
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Dong Kook Seo
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Jai Ku Choi
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Young Chul Jang
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
› Institutsangaben

Background Deep burns of the elbow lead to soft tissue necrosis and infection, with exposure of deep structures. Adequate wound coverage of this area requires thin, pliable, and durable tissue, while optimal functional recovery requires early coverage and functional rehabilitation. We have found 3 types of island flaps that provide reliable coverage for the elbow.

Methods A retrospective study was performed on all patients who underwent flap coverage of an elbow defect at our hospital. The patients' data including age, sex, cause of injury, wound dimensions, timing of flap coverage, postoperative elbow motion, and complications were investigated.

Results Between 2001 and 2012, 16 patients were treated at our hospital. The mean age was 53.3 years. Three kinds of flaps were performed: 9 latissimus dorsi flaps, 4 lateral arm flaps, and 4 radial forearm flaps. The average defect size was 183.5 cm2 (range, 28 to 670 cm2). Wound coverage was performed at mean duration of 45.9 days (range, 14 to 91 days). The mean postoperative active elbow flexion was 98° (range, 85° to 115°). Partial flap failure occurred in 1 latissimus dorsi flap. Minor complications included partial flap loss (11.8%), hematoma (23.5%), seroma (35.3%), and wound infection (5.9%).

Conclusions Flap selection for elbow reconstruction is determined by the defect size and the extent of the adjacent tissue injury. Elbow reconstruction using an island flap is a single-staged, reliable, and relatively simple procedure that permits initiation of early rehabilitation, thereby improving a patient's functional outcome.



Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 08. Mai 2012

Angenommen: 04. Juli 2012

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
01. Mai 2022

© 2012. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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