Management of postburn hand scar contractures

Abstract

Hand burns are common in Africa. Unfortunately, owing to inadequate acute care, surgeons often face the unpleasant sequelae of scar contractures that pose functional restrictions and unacceptable cosmesis. This article aims to propose a step-by-step surgical plan to deal with postburn hand scar contractures. After wrist release, the first priority should be commissure opening, followed by syndactyly release. Contracture management can then be performed to repair finger flexion deformities and reverse range of motion restrictions.