Effectiveness of Post-Burn Finger Contracture Release with 5-Flap Z-Plasty without Graft
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51985/Keywords:
Burns; Cicatrix; Finger Injuries; Surgical ProcedureAbstract
Objective: To determine the functional outcome of the 5-flap Z-plasty technique without skin graft in terms of mean improvement in extension lag angle in the surgical management of post-burn finger contractures.
Study Design and Setting: A prospective interventional study was conducted at Allied Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Centre Faisalabad, Pakistan, from August 2025 to February 2026.
Methodology: A total of 65 patients were enrolled. Patients of both genders with age ranging from 4 to 40 years were included that were having moderate degree of post burn finger contractures with pliable surrounding skin and supple interphalangeal joints. All patients underwent release of contracture using a 5-flap Z-plasty without a skin graft. Extension lag angle was measured pre-operatively and post-operatively using a standard goniometer.
Results: Of 65 patients, 37 (56.9%) were male and 28 (43.1%) were female, with a mean age of 15.75 ± 8.91 years. The mean pre-operative extension lag angle was 62.46 ± 12.25°, which decreased significantly to 1.08 ± 2.57° post-operatively (p = 0.001), yielding a mean improvement of 61.38 ± 10.84°. The mean improvement in extension lag angle was stable across subgroups, with no statistically significant differences by gender (p = 0.159) or age group (p = 0.113). Conclusion: The 5-flap Z-plasty technique without skin graft achieves significant functional improvement in moderate
degree post-burn finger contractures with good flap viability rates, no donor site morbidity, good colour match, start of early rehabilitation and no need for prolonged immobilization.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Zahida Younas, Shumaila Yousaf, Bushra Akram Mughal, Urwa Tanveer Ahmad, M Behram Abbas, Saqib Shakoor (Author)
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