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Background: Burns are a major, global public health problem, resulting in an estimated 195,000 deaths annually. Most burns occur in low-and middle-income countries, with almost half occurring in the south-east Asia region. The reasons for the high incidence include widespread ignorance of fire prevention, the rapid increase of poor socio-economic conditions, and the persistence of old traditions and customs.Methods: The study was carried out in Department of Surgery, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRH University, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun over a period of 12months. Cases of the post burn contractures attended in the O.P.D were included in the study.Results: A total of 45 patients were included in the study. Of these, 22 (48.8%) were males and 23 (51.2%) were females. Ages ranged from 1 to 55year. Flame burn (20 cases = 44.4%) was the most common type of initial burn insult followed by scald burns (14 cases=31.1%).Conclusions: The pitfalls in initial burn care that lead to contractures in the patients include the failure to institute adequate surgical management of deep burns, the lack of physiotherapy/ROM exercises, and failure to provide proper anti-deformity splint age. There is need to revisit the prevalent acute burn care practices and establish focused preventive strategies.

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Background: Post burn contractures are distressingly common and severe in developing nations and considered as a significant problem in developed countries as well. Despite advances in the overall management of burn injuries, severe post-burn contractures continue to be a formidable foe for reconstructive surgeons in developing countries.Methods: The study was carried out in Department of Surgery, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRH University, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun over a period of 12months. Cases of the post burn contractures attended in the O.P.D were included in the study.Results: Contracture release with split thickness skin grafting STSG in 25 (55.5%) cases. Contracture release with STSG with flap cover was performed in 7 cases (15.5%), contracture release with K wire insertion with coverage was performed in 8 cases (17.7%) and Z plasty was performed in 5 cases (11%).Conclusions: There have been major advances in burn care in the last three decades and the mortality rates have gone down significantly. The management has shifted to improvement of functional outcome and better quality of life. Proper planning of reconstructive procedures, rehabilitation, restoration to pre-injury status and return to society are the goals that the treating team hopes to achieve.