Functional and subjective assessment of burn contracture release in a mission setting

•Burn contracture operations improve both SF-36 mental health and physical ability scores.•Contracture release results in a decrease of the ‘whole person impairment’ score.•Standardized surveys can be completed in a mission setting.

ObjectiveBurns and subsequent contractures are common in developing nations. Contracture release is performed to treat such patients with functional limitations. The aim of this study is to evaluate post-operative functional and psychosocial outcomes following contracture release in a mission setting.MethodsDuring a surgical mission in Mumbai, India, 39 patients burn contractures underwent surgical release. A total of 31 patients (64% female, mean age 27 years) chose to participate in the study. Patients were scored preoperatively and postoperatively using a SF-36 validated survey and AMA impairment guideline assessment.ResultsThirty-one patients completed questionnaires pre-operative and 6-weeks post operatively. Twenty-four patients completed a survey 3-months post operatively (77.4%). Among those enrolled, 67% were women with the majority sustaining <20% total body surface area burns (70.7%) but had multiple contractures (80.6%). SF-36 physical component score increased from a mean score of 49.8 preoperatively to 55.6 by 3 months following contracture release (P < 0.001). The SF-36 mental component score similarly increased from 38.8 to 51.1 by 3 months (P < 0.001). AMA Whole Person Impairment (WPI) scores improved from 40.3% impairment pre-operative to 26.6% at 6-weeks post-operative (P < 0.001).ConclusionsPatients SF-36 and WPI scores improved following burn contracture release, confirming both functional and psychologic improvement following surgery. During the acute post-operative period, this study suggests that contracture release in a mission setting is of benefit to patients.