[Principles and techniques of plastic surgery in the treatment of patients injuried in the Wenchuan earthquake].

[OBJECTIVE] To explore the role of plastic surgeon in the early intervention of soft tissue wound resulted from earthquake.

[METHODS] Firstly, the wounds were debrided completely. Based on the principles of plastic surgery, different methods were selected according to the types of the wounds. Primary closure was applied for wounds without any tissue defect. Skin grafts or flaps were needed for covering the soft tissue defect. Delayed wound closure was used for wounds with severe infection.

[RESULTS] 102 cases were treated. Primary healing was achieved in 76 cases. Infected or burned wounds were delayed closed after 2 - 3 times of debridement and dress changing in 16 cases. All the flaps survived. Partial necrosis at the edge of the skin graft happened in 3 cases. 7 cases achieved delayed wound healing with skin graft or flap after VAC draining or dress changing.

[CONCLUSION] Satisfactory functional and cosmetic results can be achieved with the techniques of plastic surgeons. It has also important significance for the psychological recovering of the wounded in the earthquake.