Free skin grafting in reconstructive surgery of burns in children

When performing reconstructive surgery in children suffering from extensive post-burn hypertrophic scars, the main problem is deficiency of donor intact skin. Aim . This study aimed to determine the possibility of using the expander skin balloon expansion method for obtaining free, large area split-thickness skin autografts. Materials and methods . A comparative analysis of treatment for 39 children with extensive post-burn hypertrophic scars was performed. In 16 children (experimental group), balloon skin expansion of a donor site for obtaining large area split-thickness skin grafts (more than 100 cm²) was performed. In 23 children (control group), the large area grafts were cut off without prior balloon skin expansion of the donor site. Results . In cases where it is necessary to close a wound defect over 100 cm², it is advisable to perform prior balloon skin expansion of the donor site. This technique enables attainment of an injury-resistant free implant full grafting material and also provides multiple uses of a donor site without disturbing the esthetics.