Dr Shraddha Deshpande

Scar Revisions

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landscape of sunrays and trees | morning sunrays through trees | Scar Revision

Skin covers entire body and protects us from external elements. Imagine it as a seamless cover. Any kind of burn, injury or surgery causes scar. When a wound occurs, your skin goes into healing mode and tries to close it up as quickly as possible. Scarring is a natural part of healing process & largely affected by individual’s age, gender, lifestyle etc. as well as severity of injury. As healing takes place, one may develop keloid scars, acne scars, contracture scars etc. These scars may be unsightly or may cause physical discomfort or distress. Scars sometime cause pain, burning & etching. Certain scars like burn scars can cause restriction in movement.

Scar revision is a surgery done to improve or reduce scar appearance. It can also improve movement (example – restricted by skin burn). Scar revision is also helpful in correcting skin changes, distortion caused by injury, poor healing or previous surgery.

Operation

Scars can be treated both surgically as well as non-surgically. A surgical procure may involve taking incisions to remove old scars or skin graft / skin flap surgery. A non-surgical treatment may involve use of certain topical applications, injections and lasers to reduce/improve scars. Scar revision procedure can be performed using both local & general anesthesia.

Result

Scar revision will help achieve following.

  • Reduced/improved scar
  • Improved functionality
  • Improved confidence & self-esteem

Scars don’t go away completely. Scars often fade with time and become barely noticeable. Scar lightening will take several months up to a year after surgery. Scarring tends to be more visible in people with extremely dark skin. Please discuss about scars with your surgeon. 

Risks/ Complications

Based on wound severity, scar revision can be a complex procedure (Example – Skin graft). Following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of the which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.

  • Bleeding, Infection, Bruising
  • Swelling, pain, Nausea & numbness
  • Itching around wound
  • Failed skin graft

In rare case, as with all surgical procedures, a revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.

Care after treatment/ surgery

Scar revision done using surgical approach will have bandages after surgery and patient will be required to rest allowing healing. It is important to avoid overexertion during the healing period. Scars revision done using non-surgical approach will also require care to be taken.

Your surgeon will give you more guidance on care, activities etc. specific to your needs & recommend you ways to have effect of treatment lasted for long.

Costs

Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on complaint, complications, hospital chosen for treatment but usually involves following.

  • Surgeon’s fee
  • Hospital facility charges
  • Anesthesia fees
  • Medical tests, medicines & implants (if any)

If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by patient as applicable. 

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