Outcome of Full Thickness Skin Graft in Post Burn Finger Contractures
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Abstract
Objective: To determine the outcomes of full-thickness skin grafts in patients with post-burn finger contractures.
Methodology: This descriptive study from October--2025 to June-2026 was conducted at Department of Plastic surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex. Study enrolled one hundred and twenty-nine patients aged 5 to 45 years with post-burn finger contractures. Patients with non-burn contractures, uncontrolled systemic diseases, active infection, and cognitive impairment were excluded. All the patients underwent full thickness skin graft procedure using aseptic technique. Graft take was assessed at the first dressing change on day 5 to 7. Functional outcomes were assessed at three months using range of motion and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Data was analyzed using SPSS 27. Wilcoxon singed rank test was used, keeping p value ≤ 0.05 as significant.
Results: The median age of 129 patients was 24.00 years (IQR:14-34), with male patients 88 (68.2%) and 41 (31.8%) female patients. Excellent range of motion was observed in 41 (31.8%) cases, good in 45 (34.9%), fair in 28 (21.7%), and poor in 15 (11.6%) cases. Graft take was excellent in 79 (61.2%) cases, and good in 30 (23.3%) cases, The median DASH score improved significantly from preoperative to postoperative (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:Full thickness skin graft procedure demonstrated excellent to good range of motion in majority of the patients with post-burn finger contractures. Significant improvement in DASH score postoperatively was observed
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