Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Facial burns may vary from relatively minor to scalds, blisters and severe injuries. In this series most of the patients received were chronic cases with cosmetic or severe cosmetic plus functional deformities. Burns can result in minor deformities with hypo/hyper-pigmentation, change in texture, loss of facial hair, contractures, scarring, distortion of features and limit facial expression. We have aimed at restoring the patient to a near normal appearance so that he/she might be accepted in society and he/she feels integrated. We have made psychological counseling a part of the treatment in all such cases. The inner part of the arm gives a relatively good color match to the face. Using tissue expansion repeatedly from the same area increases the availability of full thickness skin, leaves minimal donor site morbidity and does not cause the temporary but significant cosmetic deformity connected with tissue expansion from adjacent areas. In the present series, rectangular tissue expanders are used and the skin is harvested and cut to size. Even as such, rectangular expanders are best suited as they gain 38% in tissue area. This study is a series of 100 consecutive cases done from 2007 to 2012. The use of serial tissue expansion from the inner part of the arm provides a good color match for the donor skin and repeated harvests of FTSG. It also leaves an insignificant donor defect. This also overcomes the problems of expanding the adjacent skin. The neck contains numerous vital structures and expansion can lead to problems. Many times there are some unhealed areas on the face due to which a sterile field is not available to tissue expansion. The use of aseptic techniques and prophylactic antibiotics are useful in these patients.

Biography

Chanjiv Singh Mehta has completed his MCh (Plastic Surgery) in 1991. He has worked for short periods with Masters in the field in New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Trichur, Paris, Basel, Groningen, Stoubridge etc. He has numerous publications and he is a Reviewer for many journals and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Punjab chapter of ASI. He is into Humanitarian work since long. He is the chair of Humanitarian sub-committee of IPRAS, President of MSF-South Asia and Director of MSF India. He has worked and organized numerous free camps with international and regional NGOs. He also runs an NGO where the target is women and children receiving treatment and education.

Email: chanjivsingh@rediffmail.com