RESUMEN
Background: Over 1 lakh people are affected by burn every year in India and 20 thousands of them die per year. Post burn contracture is a common sequele occurring after burn. Upper limb contractures are also occurring more commonly because it is most mobile part of body and likely to be involved in burn. There are many studies on management of post burn contractures but literature about prevention of contracture is little, hence this study was conducted. The aim of this study was to recognise various preventive measures to prevent post burn contractures of upper extremity.Methods: This study was conducted in NSCBM Subharti Medical College and Hospital located in Meerut (North India) from October 2012 to October 2014 in Department of Surgery. It was a prospective observational study consisted of 80 cases who presented as acute burn of upper limb admitted in the hospital.Results: In our study early excision with skin grafting was done in 20 patients (25%) while delayed skin grafting was done in 25 patients (31%) while 35 patients (44%) were managed conservatively. In our study 20 patients reported back with a post burn contracture. The reason found was non-compliance to antideformity splint and physiotherapy.Conclusions: Early surgical management of deep burns, physiotherapy, anti-deformity position and proper splintage can significantly reduce the development of post burn contracture.