Innovative approaches to dog-ear deformities in burn contracture release surgery: preserving skin for functional and aesthetic outcomes

Abstract

Post-burn contractures often lead to functional impairment and cosmetic deformities. Traditional treatments involve excising tight scar tissue, which can result in dog-ear deformities. This study introduces a technique that preserves the dog-ear tissue and utilizes surplus skin to improve contracture release, enhancing both functional and aesthetic outcomes. The procedure involves dividing the dog-ear tissue into symmetrical triangular flaps, with two methods for transposing the tissue. These approaches optimize skin tension, improving contracture release without excising healthy tissue. This technique offers a promising alternative to traditional methods by preserving excess skin, reducing operative time, and improving both function and aesthetics. While not suitable for all cases, it provides enhanced options for burn contracture management. The modified dog-ear technique is an effective, versatile approach for burn contracture release, preserving skin and improving both function and appearance. Further studies are needed to assess its long-term effectiveness.