the running y-v plasty for treatment of linear and cord-like burn contractures

linear and cord-like burn scar contractures are commonly treated by severing the scar in a transverse direction and skin grafting or performing z-plasties. however, skin grafts may result in suboptimal take and contract gradually and the z-plasty requires undermining flaps in scarred skin which may lead to the distal tip necrosis. in this article the authors present their experience with multiple y-v plasty technique. from may 2005 to september 2009, 44 linear and narrow cord-like burn contractures in various regions of upper and lower extremities of 32 patients were treated by multiple y-v plasty technique. the contracted scars were treated successfully in all of the patients. no major post-operative complications or contracture recurrence were observed during the follow up period of 6 to 24 months in this series of patients. by creating a longer length, running y-v plasty can relax the contracted scar. considering the advantages and excellent results in the treated patients in this study group, and also other presented series, multiple y-v plasty can be recommended as a very useful and safe technique for the treatment of linear and cordlike burn contractures.