Free temporoparietal flap in burn reconstruction

A series of 12 patients with deep burns resulting in exposed bones, joints, and tendons, in whom temporoparietal free flaps were used for reconstruction, are presented. Flap loss was 8.3%; good and satisfactory results were achieved in 91.7% of healed defects. Patients with large total body surface area burns are severely compromised, and the use of free flaps requiring prolonged periods of anesthesia and surgery should be a judicious decision. Prior to the availability of free flaps, most of these patients are left with chronic wounds and compromised functional results. Although our experience is limited, we think that in well-selected cases a one-stage reconstruction with free tissue transfer is expeditious, safe, and economical.