Plastic Surgery Suturing Vs Suturing

 

Plastic Surgery Suturing Vs Suturing

What we use and why:

FINE SUTURES:                            To prevent train track scars

MULTILAYERED CLOSURE:       To prevent stretching of scar as it takes the tension                                                                                     off the skin sutures

EARLY REMOVAL:    To prevent suture marks to become permanent.

                                                        Normal duration in which we take off the stitches is 5-7 days.

ZERO TENSION CLOSURE:        Leads to early healing

                                                                                 "As they say, Stress is Bad"

AFTER CARE:                                 Massage, avoiding sun exposure, Regular Follow up

ORIENTATION OF SCARS IN SKIN LINES:    To camouflage in plain sight

QUALITY OF SCAR:              All this leads to a  better quality scar which is nay visible J

DR. ASHISH GUPTA

SENIOR PLASTIC SURGEON, LUDHIANA

WHY NOT STITCH (SUTURE) A CUT?

 WHY NOT STITCH (SUTURE) A CUT?

We witness and experience numerous injuries during our lifetime 

but the ones that leave us in a dilemma are the ones that our little 

angles get during their endless sessions of mischief. 

Then the Dharm-Sankat starts, whether to get the CUT stitched or 

NOT.

1.      NOT ALL CUTS NEED STITCHES (SUTURES)

Wounds that are not long, not gaping; not bleeding; not near joints; not on scalp, face, hands and feet can and shall heal without suturing. But the decision should be taken with the Plastic Surgeon’s opinion.

2.      DISSOLVING STITCHES (SUTURES) ALSO LEAVE SCARS

It’s the injury that leaves a scar. When the cuts are in the skin creases and are sutured by an expert the resulting scar is almost invisible. Use of Fine Sutures and their early removal hold more importance than Dissolving vs Removable Sutures.

3.      SCARS IN CHILDREN STRETCH WITH TIME

With the growth of the child the cells in the skin multiply but the scar stretches. It makes it more important to suture the wound so that there is minimal stretching over the years till child is 16 -18 years of age.

4.      STITCHED (SUTURED) CUTS SCAR BETTER THAN GLUE

An invisible scar depends on the accurate approximation of the cut ends of the skin which can best be achieved by Suturing. In selective cases where skin is not gaping; the wound is small and superficial; skin glues too give good results.

5.      AFTER CARE IS MOST IMPORTANT

Treatment does not end with removal of bandages, it Starts from there. Avoiding sun exposure, religiously massaging of the scar and regular follow up with your Plastic Surgeon gets you the best possible results.

Coming up next : THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY ABOUT SCARS

DR. ASHISH GUPTA

SENIOR CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGEON

LUDHIANA

+91-977977-1111

DOCASHISH2001@GMAIL.COM

SCARS NEED A SUPERSPECIALIST’S TOUCH

SCARS NEED A 

SUPERSPECIALIST’S TOUCH

WHAT IS A SCAR?

A scar is the fibrous tissue (thick, firm, red) laid down by the body as a natural process of biological healing at any site that sustains injury.

IS SCAR FORMATION PREVENTABLE?

The following factors determine scar formation: Size and depth of the wound; Location of the injury on the body; Blood supply to the area; Age of the person; Thickness, type and colour of the person's skin; Direction of the scar & Duration of the wound. Some of these factors can be modified to reduce scar formation.

CAN SCARS BE COMPLETELY REMOVED?

“Once A Scar, Always A Scar. We Can Improve The Quality Of The Scar.” A skilled PLASTIC SURGEON can definitely improve the appearance of the scar by disguising it, relocating it, or minimizing its prominence, by surgical and non-surgical means.

ARE THERE ANY TYPES OF SCARS?

Scars can be good scars or bad scars but scientifically they are classified into various type: Keloids, Hypertrophic scar, Hypo or Hyper-pigmented scar, Pitted/ depressed acne scars, Stretch marks (striae).

HOW DO I ENSURE THAT I GET A GOOD SCAR?

Follow the instructions given by your PLASTIC SURGEON properly and for the entire duration as directed. Regular follow up visits are necessary to assess the response of the body towards the treatment and if any change is required can be instituted at the earliest.

WHAT ARE THE NON- SURGICAL OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING MY SCAR?

Pressure garments and silicone gel/sheet (medical grade as advised by the PLASTIC SURGEON) has been the mainstay in the treatment of scars. Other options are: Chemical peels (by the Skin Specialist); Fractional Lasers or Nd:YAG laser therapy  (by the Plastic Surgeon); Intra-lesional injection of Steroids (by the Plastic Surgeon); Fillers

WHAT ARE THE SURGICAL OPTIONS?

The type of surgery may range from a simple dermabrasion (surgical peeling of outer layer of skin); micro-dermabrasion (does not require anaesthesia); Z- Plasty; scar excision; serial excision; scar revision; skin grafting or tissue expansion (in large scars).

IS SCAR SURGERY A MAJOR SURGERY?

Usually Scar revision surgeries for small scars can be done under local anaesthesia which do not require admission. Some larger scars or scars in sensitive areas like near the eyes, nose etc may require general anaesthesia and a day care admission in which the patient is sent home in the evening. Complex scars may constitute a major surgery and require admission for more than a day.

WILL INSURANCE COVER MY EXPENCES FOR SCAR SURGERY?

If the scars are causing functional problems like contractures, limiting ones daily activity, or hindering ones social interactions; such scar revisions are likely to be covered under the Insurance act. But a prior approval from the company is helpful. Cosmetic surgery is not covered under the gamut of health insurance.

HOW LONG AFTER THE SURGERY WILL MY SCAR LOOK BETTER?

The biological process of healing in a scar usually subsides by 6-9 months. It is by that time the final results can be commented upon.

DO HOME REMEDIES HELP?

People have tried lemon juice, shea butter, cocoa butter, honey, sun exposure for scar reduction but with inconsistent results. But application of Vit E, Aloe Vera creams, massage and avoiding sun exposure do facilitate better scarring.

DR. ASHISH GUPTA

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

S.P.S. APOLLO HOSPITALS, LUDHIANA