A technique for surgical treatment of extensive scar contractures of the neck in burn patients

Summary

The authors propose a technique for the correction of the scar contractures of the neck after burns, where mandibulo-thoracic bridle scars have developed. We perform a bi-mastoid incision on the line between the neck and thorax, withdrawing a skin triangle in the midline of the neck. The undermined skin pedicle flaps fit into the suprahyoid region, whereas the infrahyoid area is covered with a full-thickness skin graft. This technique is based on the anatomical independence of the regions above and below the hyoid. The method eliminates the need for a plastic or leather collar in the postoperative period, which appears to be unnecessary because secondary retraction of the skin graft does not occur.