Lateral Truncal Medial Contractures: Anatomy and Treatment with Local Adipose Scar Trapezoid Flaps

Abstract

Trunk burns result in various complications, deformities, and contractures. Contracture of the lateral surface of the trunk is one of the serious complications that limit movements of the spine; in children, scoliosis can develop. Therefore, the lateral truncal contracture should be the subject of early surgical treatment. The method currently used is stage-by-stage incisions on the contracture scars and skin grafting or Z-plasty. Skin grafts tend to shrink. Triangular flaps are too short for complete contracture elimination. The need for development of a more effective surgical technique is apparent. Lateral truncal contracture is caused by scars located on the truncal lateral surface, which form a crescent fold. The fold’s sheets have a trapezoid-shaped surface deficit in length, which causes the contracture and creates the scar surface surplus in width, which allows contracture elimination with local trapezoid flaps and leads to good outcomes.