The use of modified glove-like abdominal flap for reconstruction of contracture following burns of dorsal hand and fingers: A case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance

Burn contracture has been a challenge for its acquired functional disabilities and deformities. Surgical reconstruction poses a significant challenge for optimal aesthetic and functional improvement. Super thin abdominal skin pedicle flap can be used, but it has only one pedicle from one site of abdomen and needs tissue expander for a larger defect. The use of modified glove-like abdominal flap has been stated to be an option mainly for the use on acute hand burn. In this study, application of the modified glove-like abdominal flap was applied to contracture of dorsal hand and fingers.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old male patient with severe contracted hand, eight-month post-burn injury presented at outpatient clinic Santosa Central Hospital in 2017. Multiple series of surgeries were performed on this patient, consisting of released contracture, defect closure using a modified “glove-like” thin abdominal flap, and flap separation.

Clinical discussion

Abdominal flap has been the commonly used technique but has the disadvantage of being bulky. Glove-like abdominal flap, a subcutaneous layer plane flap, can be performed simply, safely, and briefly. It has been published mainly for reconstruction for acute burn hand injuries, not for burn hand contracture.

Conclusion

The use of modified glove abdominal flap technique for reconstruction in hand burn contracture gives a satisfactory result in terms of functional and aesthetic outcome and can be an option in reconstruction in contracted dorsal hand and fingers.

Highlights

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  Abdominal flap has been used to be an option for hand burn reconstruction but has the disadvantage of being bulky.

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  Glove-like abdominal flap has been published mainly for reconstruction for acute burn hand injuries, not burn hand contracture.

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  Glove-like abdominal flap is an easy technique, safely, briefly, not bulky, and give better functional aesthetic results.

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  Modified glove abdominal flap technique can be an option in reconstruction in contracted dorsal hand and fingers.