N. Mariappan1
urn Injuries are very common in developing countries due to various socioeconomic reasons. Neck contractures and deformities as consequence of burn pose a great challenge to the plastic surgeons who undertake reconstruction. Face and neck are exposed to a variety of injuries such as scalds, Flame, Chemical and electrical splash injuries. Altered mentosternal and cervicothoracic angles cause serious functional and esthetic problems. Scar contracture aided by gravity and weight of the head causes insufficient neck extension, incomplete oral occlusion, cicatricial ectropi on and alter the tracheal position. Hence it results in difficult intubation and life threatening airway problems. Disfigurement of exposed areas like face and neck leads to depression which affects the quality of life of patients. Financial constraints, limited reconstructive facility centers and enormous volume of patients are the problems faced in developing countries. In recent times there is an increase in reconstruction with micro vascular free flaps in the management of post burn scar contracture neck...This Paper is mainly focused on the various surgical options available in a developing country like ours and analyzes emerging trends in reconstruction of neck contractures with free flaps.
