BACKGROUND Post-burn contractures severely deteriorate life quality. We aimed to present our treatment protocols for post-burn sequelae and the contractures that cause functional limitations. METHODS Seventy-seven cases with post-burn contracture were treated in our clinic. Post-burn contractures occurring after a burn injury affected the upper extremity, face and neck in 60, 17 and 6 cases, ...

The authors present an overview of the various techniques which can be used to achieve coverage of exposed bone, particularly in cases of bone exposure associated with an underlying fracture or osteomyelitis. Adequate debridement, possibly in several stages, is necessary in all cases to prepare the receptor site for the next step which is soft tissue coverage, achieved using various types of su...

PURPOSE To review the role of free tissue transfer in reconstructive surgery following resection of high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the lower limb. METHODS Medical records of all consecutive patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the lower limbs between August 1997 and September 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS Of 8 patients (6 women and 2 men) aged between 19 and 65 years, 4 had ma...

INTRODUCTION Diabetic foot ulcers occur in approximately 2,5% of patients suffering from diabetes and may lead to major infections and amputation. Such ulcers are responsible for a prolonged period of hospitalization and co- morbidities caused by infected diabetic foot ulcers. Small, superficial ulcers can be treated by special conservative means. However, exposed bones or tendons require surgi...

BACKGROUND The aim of lower-extremity reconstruction has focused on wound coverage and functional recovery. However, there are limitations in the use of a local flap in cases of extensive defects of the lower-extremities. Therefore, free flap is a useful option in lower-extremity reconstruction. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of 49 patients (52 cases) who underwent lower-extremit...

INTRODUCTION The total 'rib'-preservation method of dissecting out the internal mammary vessels (IMV) during microvascular breast reconstruction aims to reduce free flap morbidity at the recipient site. We review our five-year experience with this technique. PATIENTS & METHODS An analysis of a prospectively collected free flap data cohort was undertaken to determine the indications, operative...

Simple or complex defects in the lower leg, and especially in its distal third, continue to be a challenging task for reconstructive surgeons. A variety of flaps were used in the attempt to achieve excellence in form and function. After a long evolution of the reconstructive methods, including random pattern flaps, axial pattern flaps, musculocutaneous flaps and fasciocutaneous flaps, the reapp...

Oromandibular reconstruction following oncological resection is particularly challenging. In this past decade, great improvements have been made, in functional and aesthetic terms, following the introduction of composite free flaps. By means of this reconstructive technique, it is, in fact, possible to restore mandibular continuity, and, consequently, the morphology of the lower third of the fa...

Perfusion dynamics of 16 free DIEP flaps and 4 free SIEA flaps were studied during the first, third, and sixth postoperative day using dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). For both flap types the zone positioned over the perforator is perfused first, followed by the adjacent ipsilateral zone, and finally the contralateral zones. Perfusion of the subdermal plexus of all zones preceded the perfu...