Tissue expansion and follicular unit extraction hair restoration in rehabilitation of a severe postburn deformity of neck and beard region

Abstract

Thermal burns of the face and neck remain one of the most common accidental injuries in young adults. This leads to various sequelae including scar, contracture, and alopecia. The goal of management is to achieve a complete range of motion of neck movements and restore esthetic appearance. Many reconstructive options are available in the form of split skin grafts, tissue expanders, loco-regional flaps, free flaps, and hair transplantation. Here, we report a case of severe postburn neck contracture and beard alopecia as sequelae of accidental thermal burns sustained by him 2 years back. The patient was successfully managed with contracture release followed by an expanded neck flap for coverage of the resultant defect. We also present the outcome and follow-up of the patient, after receiving follicular unit extraction from the scalp and contra-lateral un-burnt beard region for treatment of patchy postburn alopecia over the burnt beard area of the face. The quality of facial scarred skin has improved dramatically following the hair transplant which was proven by the punch biopsies obtained from the treated skin.