Clinical effectiveness of simultaneous reconstructions of multiple joint scar contracture deformity of limb

Objective To explore the clinical effects of simultaneous reconstruction of multiple joint scar contracture deformity of limb. Methods From January 2010 to June 2018, 24 patients with multiple joint scar contracture deformity of the same limb were reconstructed in simultaneous operations in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, including 16 males and 8 females, aged 3-42 years, with 15 patients having deformities in the upper limbs and 9 patients having deformities in the lower limbs. One operation was performed to repair contracture deformity of axillary fossa and elbow in 3 patients, cubital fossa and palmar of wrist in 4 patients, cubital fossa and hand in 5 patients, palmar of wrist, palm, and palmar of finger in 3 patients, groin and medial knee in 2 patients, popliteal fossa and posterior ankle in 1 patient, and anterior ankle and dorsum of foot in 6 patients. After the release of various joint scar contractures, the area of skin defect was 140 to 580 cm². Autologous full-thickness skin grafts were used in 7 patients, autologous medium-thickness skin grafts were used in 4 patients, autologous full-thickness skin grafts combined with local skin flaps were used in 9 patients, and allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and autologous thin skin grafts were used in 4 patients. Comprehensive measures for rehabilitation were taken and the survival of the skin graft was observed after operation. Six months to eight years after the operation, all the patients were followed up for the functions of the affected limbs, among which the functions of the upper limbs were evaluated according to the trial standard for the evaluation of the functions of the upper limbs of the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association. The joint mobility, walking, and squatting function of lower extremity were examined after operation. Recurrence of contractures in all the affected limbs and reoperation were recorded. Results The grafts survived after operation in 22 patients. Two patients had necrosis in small full-thickness skin area, of which one was healed by skin grafting after debridement, and the other one was healed after dressing changes. The deformity of scar contracture at each repaired joint was completely or partially corrected. During a follow-up for 6 to 96 months, the upper limb functions of 15 patients were rated excellent in 12 patients and good in 3 patients. Among the 9 patients of lower limb scar contractures, except for one 3-year-old child who experienced recurrence of medial knee scar contracture and underwent surgical release and skin grafting 5 years later, the remaining 8 patients basically recovered normal joint functions with pretty good outcomes. Conclusions For continuous scar contracture deformity of multiple joints of the same limb, simultaneous surgical release and skin grafting can reduce operation frequency and obtain better outcomes of surgical operation.