“Psychological And functional outcome after surgery in post burn contracture deformities”

BACKGROUND: Post-burns neck and shoulder contracture is one of the most common burn sequels which affect the patient significantly causing both functional limitations and esthetic disfigurements, which lead to cosmetic, functional and social problems. AIM: The aim of this study was to find out prevalence of depression and compare functional & psychological status of patients, pre and post operatively in post burn contracture deformities and what are the psychological outcomes after correcting deformities with reconstructive surgery METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted among patients of tertiary care center. Psychological and disability assessment of 30 patients who came with post burn contracture was done using WHODAS 2.0, HDRS and PHQ to assess the depression and disability preoperatively. Other variables were assessed using a semi-structured Performa. Then reconstructive surgery was done by plastic surgery department. Then again patients were assessed for depression and disability postoperatively. Comparative analysis was done using unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Correlation was done using Pearson’s correlation test. RESULTS: Prevalence of depression was 80 % in patient included in the study. Those subjects with higher degree of deformity and disability had more depression compared with the subjects who had minor deformities. Those subjects who had greater improvement in disability after reconstructive surgery shown significant improvement in depression (p-<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: reconstructive surgery has a very important role in improving disability and subsequently improving the psychological and functional outcomes in patients with post burn contracture deformities