Management
A 27-year-old patient with extensive facial burns underwent successful reconstruction using a prelaminated parascapular free flap guided by a three-dimensional model, achieving significant functional improvement [PMID:32961000].
A custom three-dimensional printing facemask was used to immobilize grafts over difficult facial sites, reducing shearing forces and hematoma formation, which is crucial for improving success rates in facial burn resurfacing [PMID:31290964].
The study highlights the importance of proper graft immobilization to prevent complications such as shearing forces and hematoma, particularly important in the management of deep facial burns [PMID:31290964].
Complications
The patient did not experience major complications following the staged surgical procedures involving microvascular anastomoses and flap transfer [PMID:32961000].
The research underscores that inadequate immobilization techniques, common in irregular facial contours, can significantly increase the risk of hematoma formation, a critical complication in the treatment of third-degree facial burns [PMID:31290964].
Prognosis & Follow-up
At 28 months post-surgery, the patient demonstrated significant functional improvement, although aesthetic outcomes were noted to be less than optimal [PMID:32961000].
References
1 Horta R, Monteiro D, Órfão T, Nascimento R, Frias F, Silva A. Functional facial reconstruction in a patient with severe burn sequelae with a prelaminated parascapular free flap based on a three-dimensional model: A case report. Microsurgery 2020. link 2 Aguilar HA, Mayer HF. A New Method for Securing Dermal Substitutes and Skin Grafts to Difficult Portions of the Face Using a Custom 3D-Printed Facemask. Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association 2019. link
2 papers cited of 3 indexed.