Presentation and Management Outcome of Burn Ectropion with Full Thickness Skin Grafts

Abstract

Objectives: To document the epidemiologic profile of patients with burn ectropion and
determine the outcome of treatment with full thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) in terms of graft
take, restoration of adequate eye closure, any postoperative complications and recurrence at
one year.
Methodology: This descriptive case series study was carried out at the National Institute of
Rehabilitation Medicine, Islamabad over a period of seven years (Nov 2015 - Nov 2022). All
patients who presented with ectropion secondary to burn injuries of at least three months
duration were included. The exclusion criteria were those patients who had cicatricial
ectropion secondary to non-burn skin conditions. For instance, cases of chronic inflammatory
skin conditions, excision of tumors, traumas other than burns, and involutional ectropion.
Results: There were a total of 40 patients. Out of these, 29(72.2%) were males and 11(27.5%)
females. Their age ranged between 7-54 years with a mean age of 24.32±4.77N years. Majority
(n=31;77.5%) of the surgeries were undertaken under local anesthesia. Excellent take of FTSGs
was observed among 38(95%) patients. There was no case of recurrence among the patients.
There was no mortality in our series.
Conclusion: Burn ectropion were found among facial burn injury victims who had received
conservative treatment with dressings for more than three weeks duration. Flame burns and
acid burns were the most common underlying types of these insults. Complete surgical release
and resurfacing with Full thickness skin grafts were successfully employed among all the
patients. There was no case of recurrence of ectropion at one year follow up.
Key words: Burn injuries; Facial burns; Burn ectropion; Postburn ectropion; Cicatricial
ectropion; Release of ectropion; Full thickness skin graft.