& Scar Revision
There are many approaches to reconstructive surgery for facial trauma and scar revision. Simple to very complex types of skin closures can be utilized to correct these wounds. A skin graft is a common method for achieving wound closure. Grafts can be performed in a variety of ways, from simple skin grafts to split-thickness and composite graft types. Flap surgery can also be utilized to close these defects and can vary from local to regional types of adjacent tissue transfer approaches.
Tissue expansion is another procedure that allows the skin to "stretch" and gain some extra skin to utilize in the repair of the defected area. This method can be more time-consuming for the patient, but can result in a near-perfect match for skin color, texture and nerve sensation. It also can result in less scarring than grafts and flap repairs and the risk of tissue loss is decreased due to the maintaining of original blood and nerve supply.
Scarring can be anything from a bothersome condition to an emotionally devastating ailment. The challenge with scars is that they are unpredictable. The way your body heals, the extent of the original injury and the physician's skill level area all equally contributing factors to the final resulting scar. Scar revision can be achieved by a variety of methods and is normally safe. Some common types of scars include keloids, which involve thickened, red and often itchy tissue that grows beyond the original edge of the wound or incision. Keloids do have a stubborn tendency to recur. Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloids but are raised in nature. Contracture scars are often caused by burns or injuries that result in loss of skin, whereby, the scar pulls the edges of the skin tighter and closer together than desired. Facial scars resulting from injury or disease, including acne scarring, are also very common and defects that do well with surgical revision. Dermabrasion is also a technique that can improve the effects of scars. A careful and thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon on the type of scar and best approach for revision will be completed prior to your surgery or treatment.
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