PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tragdysangel]

I was burned with gas when I was 5 Years old and now I am 38 , I had 3rd and 4th degree burns on about 80 percent of my body and they done skin grafts with pig skin Xeongrafts and they have never went back and removed them and put the right grafts on me and I have severe circulation problems and hurt all the time , and on my leg there is a place where it pulls deep down into my leg and also on my stomach. What do I need to do about this problem?     PLEASE HELP ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

I cannot give specifics without a complete exam. All I can say is that you need to call the closest burn center and ask for a referral for a burn reconstructive plastic surgeon. They will be happy to help you. A contracture is scar tissue shrinking and then limiting motion with hard scar. It can do this anywhere in the body, especially at a joint.
                     arch s miller ms md facs

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

The use of pig skin in graftinhg is not a permasnent solution. Since 33 years have passed, you now have your own skin in the areas where the other grafts were placed. The problem is that you have scar contractures. These are addresssed by placing new full thickness skin grafts or rotating local normal skin grafts into the scars to break up the shortening or contractures. This is intensive surgery that should only be attempted by reconstructive surgeons familiar with this type of surgery. You will need to contact your local burn unit, or local plastic surgeons who work with burns on a frequent basis. Remember that the methods used were necessary to save your life. Many burn victims do not survive 85 % suface area burns ,particularly small children. I hope this helps you in your walk through life, respectfully,

                           arch s miller ms md facs

[tragdysangel]

     Can you tell me if it was known then that it was only temporary and my parents just forgot, and that is the reason they did'nt take me back? Or did they find this info out later?  It was in 1975.
   We do not have any Buen centers in Mississippi anymore, how will I know if the plastic surgeon is qualified enough and could you give me a little more info on what a contracture is, and what they will have to do cause both thighs and the front of my stomach is that way.    


THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      :)    :)

[tragdysangel]

Thank You So Much   :)