SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF POSTBURN CICATRICIAL EXTENSION CONTRACTURES OF THE KNEE-JOINT

In the recent 3 years operations were carried out in 8 patients with postburn extension contractures of the knee joints, which accounted for 12.9% of all cicatricial contractures of this joint. The anatomical essence of the contracture was ascertained. A method of surgical treatment was developed, which consisted in restoration of the cutaneoadipose layer in the region of the knee with a cutaneofascial graft taken from the contralateral leg and subsequent excision of the scars on the thigh, by freeing of the muscles extending the joint, and restoration of the skin surface with a split nonperforated autodermal graft. The operation restores knee joint movement and removes trophic ulcers of pathological postburn scars.