Burn Surgery

RECONSTRUCTIVE BURN SURGERY

Reconstructive surgery is essential in order to repair wounds resulting from trauma, burn injury, infection, tumors or disease. Reconstructive surgery is performed to improve the function and physical appearance. Procedures usually involve minimal treatments such as direct wound closure to more complex procedures like microsurgery.

Reconstructive surgery requires planning and a series of procedures done in different stages. The size, nature and extent of the injury will determine what course of treatment the patient will need, type of surgery performed and length of the recovery period. The treatment of a wound or burn is carefully assessed. There are several important factors to consider including the size, severity of muscular, skeletal and nerve damage.

What are the benefits of reconstructive burn surgery?

Surgery will not be able to remove a patient’s burn scars entirely, but it will help improve basic functions and make scars less noticeable. Scarring can limit the normal motion of the neck, shoulder, hands, or legs. Often surgery to help release this contracture can help a patient regain range of motion. Facial scarring that leads to problems with the eyelids, lips, nose, or hair loss can also be helped with reconstructive burn surgery. Scars that are abnormally thick, wide, or discolored might also be improved by a variety of operative and non-operative methods.

What are the options for reconstructive burn treatment?

Non-operative therapies might involve scar massage, application of pressure garments, or other topical therapies. Occupational therapist at the University of Michigan can help fit patients with pressure garments. The team includes specialty hand therapists who help with rehabilitation of hand burns and scars. Surgical options consist mainly of scar release procedures. The tight scar tissue is released and the open area closed by a plastic surgeon. There are a variety of ways to close these wounds depending on a patient’s needs. Skin grafts, skin rearrangement (sometimes called Z-plasty), and more complex skin donor flaps could be used, depending on the location of the scar and a patient’s personal goals. Most minor procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, but the larger grafts and flaps would likely require an inpatient stay. Tissue expansion can also be used as an alternative to skin grafting. Excellent results are commonly attained when performing tissue expansion to regions of the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs.

If you need reconstructive burn treatment

The first step is to schedule a personal consultation with a plastic surgeon. Communication is crucial in reaching your goals. You will have the opportunity to explain the results you’d like to see from therapy. Together, you and your surgeon will reach an understanding about what you can expect from procedures and the long-term benefits you will experience. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you. During the initial consultation, you should expect:

To provide a complete medical history, including information about previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and any medications or herbal supplements you are taking.
Your surgeon to conduct a complete physical examination.
To discuss possible risks and complications of the procedure.

If you choose to have surgery at U of M, you will be given a pre-operative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. Your procedure will take place at the University of Michigan Hospital which provides state-of-the-art surgical suites and recovery areas. The majority of these procedures are completed on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on preoperative skin cleansing, eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.

RECONSTRUCTIVE BURN SURGERY TECHNIQUES AND OPTIONS

Skin Grafts

Skin grafts are most useful for wounds that are wide and difficult to close. A skin graft is a patch of healthy skin that is taken from one part of the body, also called the “donor site”, and used to cover another area where the skin is damaged. There are three types of skin grafts including a split-thickness skin graft, a full-thickness skin graft, and a composite skin graft.

A split-thickness skin graft, commonly used to treat burn wounds, uses the layers of skin closest to the surface. If possible, the surgeon will choose a less noticeable donor site.

A full-thickness skin graft may be used to treat a burn wound that is deep and large or to cover jointed areas where skin elasticity is needed. A small scar usually results from a direct wound closure at the donor site.

A composite skin graft is used when a wound needs underlying support. A composite graft requires lifting all the layers of skin, fat, and sometimes the underlying cartilage from the donor site. A scar will remain at the site where the graft was taken but will fade with time.

Bone Grafts

A bone graft involves a surgical procedure to replace missing bone. Artificial, synthetic or natural substitutes can replace missing bone. The most ideal bone used to replace missing bone comes from the patient’s own body. Usually, bone grafts are taken from the pelvis or iliac crest. Many surgeons prefer using small samples of bones from the patient, or autogenous bone grafts because there is no risk of the body rejecting the graft since it came from the same source. New bones grow between the existing bone and the graft material. Over time, the newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material.

Tissue expansion

Tissue expansion is a fairly common procedure that enables the body to “grow” extra skin for use in reconstructing almost any part of the body. The procedure involves a silicone balloon expander which is inserted under the skin near the area to be repaired. Gradually, the area is filled with saline solution over time, enabling the skin to stretch and grow. Most commonly used for breast reconstruction, this procedure is also used to repair skin damaged by birth defects, accidents, or surgery.

Flap surgery

Flap surgery involves the creation of a skin flap using tissue taken from other parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen, or buttocks.

One type of flap surgery involves tissue that remains attached to its original site, retaining its blood supply. The flap consists of skin, fat, and muscle. Another flap technique uses tissue that is surgically removed from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. The tissue is transplanted to the area by reconnecting the blood vessels. This procedure requires experience with microvascular surgery.

Flap surgery is more complex than skin expansion. Scars will be present at both the tissue site and on the reconstructed region.

Microvascular surgery

Microvascular surgery involves the transfer of skin, muscle, or bone with the artery and vein to a site needing reconstruction. This type of surgery is used to reattach fingers, hands, arms, and other amputated parts to the body by reconnecting the small blood vessels and restoring circulation. Microvascular surgery also can be used in reconstructive surgery or soft tissue defects created by trauma or tumor surgery.

WHY BURN SURGERY IN IRAN?

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a developed field of medicine in Iran. There are many highly trained and skilled reconstructive burn surgeons in Iran with a wealth of experience, who employ sophisticated surgical techniques for plastic burn reconstruction.

The reason may be in part that the incidence rate of burn surgeries in Iran is considerably higher than the world’s average. This makes reconstructive burn surgery in Iran a highly sought-after treatment, offering many opportunities for surgeons to further their expertise and experience by performing thousands of operations on patients with various types of burn injuries.

In addition, burn reconstruction surgery falls within the category of plastic surgery, and Iran is renowned for having great plastic surgeons. Putting all of these together plus the fact that the costs of medical services in Iran are comparatively lower than in many other countries, Iran is considered one of the best destinations for burn surgery patients who want to restore their damaged physical appearance at a reasonable price.

RECONSTRUCTIVE BURN SURGERY COST

Reconstructive and burn procedures are normally highly expensive because of the complexity of the operation. The cost of a burn surgery depends on the type of surgery, the extent of the operation, hospital services, doctor’s fees, and many other factors.

We at SinoheMedTour can help you find the right surgeon for constructive burn surgery in Iran. To find out about burn surgery prices In Iran and get more information about doctors, clinics, etc., feel free to contact us now.

What should I do to prepare?

Before reconstructive burn surgery, doctors and patients will discuss any allergies and medications the patient will be taking in the weeks prior to surgery. The doctor commonly asks the patient to quit smoking, to take vitamins, and to adjust medication plans before surgery. Lastly, the patient should make transportation accommodations to and from surgery and will need assistance around the house following surgery.

What happens during the process?

This process can be both operative and non-operative. Some treatments include scar massage, application of pressure garments, or topical therapies. The operative techniques generally include scar release procedures, where scars are opened and then repaired by a plastic surgeon. Some of these plastic surgery techniques require skin grafts. In general, the procedure is outpatient, but more intense skin graft treatments may require a hospital stay.

What are the risks and potential complications?

Reconstructive burn surgery risks and complications, include, but are not limited to: