Severe burn injuries caused by an oxygen tank explosion during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic left lasting damage to a 42-year-old male patient. Fortunately, he found new hope through a contracture release procedure performed by Dr. Sara Ester Triatmoko, Sp.B.P.R.E., Subsp.M.O. (K) at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
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The Beginning: Burn Injury from an Oxygen Tank Explosion
In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people kept oxygen tanks at home as a precaution. The patient did the same, but tragically, one of the tanks exploded and caused severe burns over most of his body.
The burn area reached 76% of his body surface. Only his left leg remained untouched. The most severe injury was to his right hand.
Due to the extent of the burns, all the fingers on his right hand were fused together—a condition known as syndactyly. This significantly hindered his daily activities, from driving to even holding simple objects.
After undergoing an initial surgery, the patient decided to proceed with a second operation with Dr. Sara at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri. The entire process—from the first consultation to the day of surgery—was fast and efficient, taking only 5 to 6 days.
According to the patient, Dr. Sara provided a clear and detailed explanation of the procedure, including which areas would be operated on, how the surgery would be performed, and where the skin graft would be taken from. Even after such thorough explanation, she still welcomed additional questions.
The surgery lasted around three hours, starting at 7 a.m. and finishing before 11 a.m. Remarkably, the patient did not need to stay overnight. The procedure was done under the hospital’s One Day Care service, allowing the patient to return home on the same day.
Dr. Sara Explains the Contracture Release and Flap Procedure
According to Dr. Sara, the surgery involved a contracture release to separate the fused fingers. A flap technique was used with living tissue taken from the back of the patient’s hand to fill the spaces between the fingers. Skin grafts from the thigh were then used to cover the exposed areas.
Dr. Sara explained that the skin grafts used were 100% viable and alive. The fingers were successfully repositioned to their normal alignment. The patient was very pleased as he now had defined finger spaces, and the length of the fingers was better than before.
In addition to releasing the contractures, Dr. Sara also reconstructed the thumb, which had previously been tightly fused to the adjacent finger—making it difficult for the patient to grasp objects. Now, his thumb moves more freely and comfortably.
“The surgery took around three hours because we ended up needing to repair more than initially expected. We separated five fingers and released the web spaces—not just straightening the fingers but also using special tools to open up the gaps between them. Once the fingers were realigned into their proper axes and angles, we closed the wounds with skin grafts taken from the thigh,” explained Dr. Sara.
The patient expressed great satisfaction with both the surgical results and the overall care received. He is now able to resume daily activities with more comfort and confidence.
Meet Dr. Sara and Her Practice Schedule at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Dr. Sara Ester Triatmoko is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery with a subspecialty in microsurgery and oncoplastic reconstruction.
She completed her medical degree, plastic surgery specialty training, and doctoral program at the University of Indonesia. She further pursued subspecialty training in microsurgery and oncoplastic surgery.
Besides her expertise in contracture release surgery for burn injuries, Dr. Sara also performs a wide range of procedures, including:
- Laser tattoo removal
- Plastic surgery consultation
- Ear surgery
- Rhinoplasty
- Buttock implants
- Cleft lip surgery
- Dimple creation
- Chin surgery
- Liposuction
- Breast reconstruction
Watch also: Patient’s Experience Undergoing Skin Contracture Surgery with Dr. Sara | Mandaya
Dr. Sara Ester Triatmoko, Sp.B.P.R.E., Subsp.M.O. (K) is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Are you experiencing a similar burn injury and interested in undergoing contracture release surgery with Dr. Sara? Don’t hesitate to visit Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
To make your visit easier, use the Chat via WhatsApp, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter app, available on Google Play and App Store, to check queue numbers and access full service information.
