The hand which needs delicate form and performs a multitude of functions demands quick and adequate treatment in the care of skin defect. In the case of inadequate treatment, secondary changes result in not only anatomical deformity but funcitonal abnormalities as well. During a period of 6 years, from January 1980 to December 1985, we have treated a total of 337 patients in Yonsei University Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery for skin defects resulting from acute trauma including burns and for correction of secondary deformities.
The results were as follows,
1. Burns were the cause of 75.8% of acute injuries and 91.3% of secondary deformities, and thus was the most common cause.
2. The operation of acute injuries were most commonly done on the 7th-15th day after the injury (66 cases, 46.8%). In the case of secondary deformities, they were most commonly treated 1 year after the injury (84 cases, 42.8%)
3. The degree of severity in secondary deformities was related to not only the cause of injury but also the elapsed time after the onset of injury, and so it is the best way for functional recovery that treated as fast as possible.
4. Skin grafting was most commonly used (259 case, 77.1%) in treatment of hand injuries and favorable results were obtained in most skin defect of hand due to burn and mild to moderate degree secondary deformities with short elapse time after onset of injury.
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