ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of paraumbilical skin flaps for the repair of the severe burn wounds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pedicled, island, or free paraumbilical skin flaps, as well as combined transplantation of several kinds of flaps were used to repair the wounds of 39 patients with severe burns. The largest paraumbilical skin flap was 55 x 27 cm(2) in area, with the end approaching the armpit midline of the axilla on the same side, and extending 10cm from the abdominal midline. The survival, color, elasticity of the flaps, degree of deformity resulted from scar contracture, and the condition of donor area were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the paraumbilical skin flaps survived, without obvious infection subsequent to complete debridement of the wounds. The flaps exhibited good color and elasticity, without scar contracture after 1 to 46 months in 33 patients. No obvious scar formation was observed in the donor area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Paraumbilical skin flap is an ideal one for the early repair of deep burn wounds, because it can cover a large area, and can be transferred in different ways according to the area and the position of the wounds.</p>