Scar Revision

The formation of scars or scar tissue is a normal part of the healing process and it happens whenever there is any cut ,abrasion, surgery or laceration due to injury.

THE GROWTH OF SCAR TISSUE IS INFLUENCED BY MANY FACTORS, THESE INCLUDE:

  • The seriousness of the injury
  • The size, depth and location of the wound on the body
  • Familial factors
  • Ethnicity (origin)
  • Colour of the skin
  • The technique of the initial surgical repair of the incision or wound
  • A general health status
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking, which slows the rate of healing
  • A complication during healing, such as infection, bleeding, obstruction or delayed healing

SCARS ARE PERMANENT. HOWEVER, WITH TIME THEY MAY BECOME LESS DARK,LIGHTENS AND LESS NOTICEABLE.SCARS MAY BE THICK,HARDENED,ITCHIER AND IRREGULAR.

SCARS MAY BECOME A PROBLEM WHEN THEY:

  • Change the outlook of  a person and if it in prominent site it makes it less attractive
  • Cause pain with  intense itching and inflammation

TYPES OF PROBLEM SCARS INCLUDE:

  • Hypertrophic scars
    – raised and red scars that are usually itchy and sometimes painful
  • Keloid scars
    – similar to hypertrophic scars but tend to grow beyond the edges of the original wound. These scars can become thick, puckered and firm. They can also be itchy or painful
  • Contractures
    – often results from burns and injuries where large areas of skin were lost. They can severely restrict movement and mobility
  • Facial scars
    – include acne scars as well as traumatic scars. Due to their location on the face, these scars can affect a person’s appearance and self-esteem

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE & WHAT IS INVOLVED?

While no medical or surgical method can remove a scar completely, Dr. Asif Bhatti can use his surgical skill to remove the scar to make it very un noticeable.

There are many non-surgical l techniques that may be used to treat problematic scars. A combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques may be used to achieve the best outcome in according to the nature of scar.

NON–SURGICAL TREATMENT OF SCARS:

  • Application of silicone gel sheet to help flatten the scar
  • Topical steroid containing (cortisone) creams
  • Injection of a steroid (kenacort)triamcinolone into the scar
  • Steris trips or fibrin glue
  • Compression garments
  • Chemical peels
  • Soft tissue fillers including collagen, implants and autologous (patient’s own) fat
  • Radiotherapy, usually for severe cases and as part of overall scar management
  • Pulse Dye Laser to lighten the scar (dermatological referral)

SURGICAL OPTIONS:

    • Micro needling:
      Micro needling is a procedure that uses an dermabrader  machine to remove the superficial layers of skin. The process is comparable to sanding. Scars become less obvious as the skin surface heals.
    • Excision:
      is when the scar is cut out and repaired with one or more layers of stitches, aimed to produce a thinner less noticeable scar. Care is taken to align the layer with layer in order to produce best scar.
    • Z-Plasty or W-Plasty:
      are surgical procedures designed to re-align the scar tissue, particularly where a scar lies across a skin tension line  or where contractures have resulted from injuries, such as burns.
    • Skin graft and flap surgery:
      Skin graft and flap surgery are more complex procedures than other forms of scar revision. For larger areas of skin in some strategic areas it is needed to take a piece of normal skin containing the epidermis from donor site to area where scarred skin is removed. Flap surgery is more complex than skin grafting as it involves the transfer of healthy skin with  subcutaneous tissue along with its blood vessels and sometimes muscle still attached, from the donor site to the  area of scar removal.

    Dr Asif Bhatti will assess your condition and general health, and plan the treatment that is best suited to you.

ANAESTHETIC AND HOSPITAL STAY:

This procedure is most commonly performed under a local anesthetic, but can be carried out under general anesthesia at your request. This procedure is performed in a day surgery setting. You will be able to return to the comfort of your own home soon after completion of the surgery.

RISK AND COMPLICATIONS:

Modern surgery is generally safe but does have the potential for risks and complications to occur.

SOME POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SCAR REVISION SURGERY MAY INCLUDE:

  • Bleeding or infection that requires treatment with antibiotics
  • Excessive pain that may signal the development of a wound infection or bleeding or too tight suturing at placers may cause  swelling
  • Allergic reaction to suture materials, steristrips or other medical materials and lotions
  • Keloid or hypertrophic scarring can recur following scar revision surgery
  • Lack of improvement after revision surgery. The scar may not be any better than the original scar, this could lead to disappointment.
  • Need for further surgery to treat complications

COST:

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery, but it should not be the only consideration. You have the right to be informed about the costs you can expect, before you have your surgery.

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCEDURE MAY INCLUDE:

  • Surgical fees
  • Surgical facility costs

After your initial consultation with Dr. Asif, you will receive a date of surgery when he will perform the scar revision surgery

Please note: Your satisfaction involves more than a fee. When choosing a surgeon for cosmetic surgery, remember that factors such as the surgeon’s training, qualifications, experience and your comfort with him/ her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

HOW TO BOOK A CONSULTATION

You can book a consultation to for this procedure by phoning us on 03029423495 or by emailing asifbhatti73@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form on our home page and we will phone you back to organize a suitable appointment time.