USE OF PEDICLED FLAPS AND TISSUE EXPANDERS TO RECONSTRUCT BURN SCARS OF THE SKIN OF THE ANTERIOR ABDOMEN AND CHEST

Extensive scarring of the skin of the abdomen and chest is sometimes e ncountered postburn. It is possible to excise the burn scar serially a nd replace it with unburned skin from areas such as the lower abdomen by means of various advancement flaps. Expanders may be inserted to fa cilitate coverage as indicated, We report 9 patients (3 males and 6 fe males) in whom such staged procedures were carried out. Original burn size ranged from 4% to 52%, with a mean total body surface area of 23. 8%. No major complications or blood loss requiring transfusion were en countered.