Contracture scar as a complication of burns - current clinical management strategies

Contractures resulting from hypertrophic scar tissue are a challenge in the treatment of patients after deep burns. Their impact on the patient's dexterity limitation and their tendency to recur necessitate individualized therapy and, in some cases, the use of surgical methods to restore functional capacity. In this paper, we present a clinical case of a female patient who developed extensive scarring in both hands as a result of burns. The complication, which significantly reduced the patient's functional capacity, was mainly contracture of fingers I. and II. of the right hand and restricted mobility of the wrist. The patient was treated with surgical excision of the affected tissue and placement of an intermediate-thickness skin graft supported by a matrix dressing. This resulted in a near normal hand function and a satisfactory aesthetic result. The case presented here shows one of the many possible treatment methods for post-burn contractures. The choice of treatment method depends on the location of the contracture, the mobility of the surrounding tissues and the capabilities of the individual, and each case requires an individual approach by the medical staff.