Often, when patients with serious illnesses are offered a choice between conservative and surgical treatment, they choose the first option. The paradox is that such a decision can be made even if the operation is simple and almost complete guarantees are given for its successful implementation. Why are people so afraid of surgery? One of the most common causes identified in anonymous surveys is postoperative scar. Indeed, a successful operation will be forgotten over time, as well as initial health problems, and an ugly scar will remain on the body for life. Is it possible to remove it?
How do scars appear?
Surely all the people who underwent surgery or sutured deep stab wounds, noticed that after suturing, more visible scars remained than from ordinary (albeit even
deep) cuts. And yet, the most noticeable scars remain after the incisions for operations on the internal organs. So why do these scars appear and what are they made of?
When healing deep wounds in the damaged area, connective tissue grows and accumulates. It is from it that the postoperative scar is made that is visible to the naked eye. An interesting fact: experts recommend evaluating the type and appearance of the scar no earlier than a year after the surgery. At this time, the scar is considered ripe and you can decide whether it is necessary to improve its appearance and in what way it is best done.
Varieties of Scars
Before talking about the
removal of the scars remaining after the operation, you should understand what they can be. If the patient has no whitish or flesh-colored stripes in memory of the surgical intervention, we can say with confidence that these are normotrophic scars. Usually the question of their removal is not even raised, since such scars are almost invisible, and over the years they can hardly be discerned at all.
Atrophic scars cause much more anxiety , visually they resemble stretch marks, striae. Such scars look flabby, and usually they are as if pressed into the skin. Hypertrophic scars are pink and protrude on the surface of the epidermis. The skin around them usually looks damaged. But there is good news: such scars can suddenly change their appearance within two years after formation.
A keloid postoperative scar is not a sight for the faint of heart. It usually forms if tissue regeneration proceeds with some problems and complications. The features of such a scar are an unusual shape and bright pink or violet-cyanotic color. The scar is very tight to the touch, and its surface is smooth. The scar may be at the skin level or protrude slightly.
When treatment is urgently needed: what is a ligature fistula of a postoperative scar?
The final stage of any surgical operation is suturing. Often, a ligature is used for this - a special thread that performs the ligation of blood vessels. With normal healing of the suture, no problems and complications are observed. If infection was introduced during suturing, granuloma of the postoperative scar and ligature fistula may form. This pathology is considered a complication of the surgery.
Ligature fistula is called inflammation at the site of wound suturing with a ligature. Granuloma, on the other hand, is a densification in a given area, consisting of a thread and a cluster of cells of various types. In fact, we are talking about suppuration of the suture caused by non-compliance with sanitary standards at the end of the operation and the non-sterility of the thread itself. If there is a suspicion that a fistula of the postoperative scar has formed, the patient must be urgently taken to the hospital.
Symptoms of this pathology are quite bright. This is the appearance of seals on the seam and in close proximity to it, redness and swelling of the tissues. Often, there may also be discharge of pus from the wound, inflammation and an increase in the patient's body temperature to 39 degrees. If at least some of the listed symptoms are observed, it is impossible to postpone the visit to the doctor. Remember that the ligature fistula can always lead to the development of an abscess and death.
The main thing is proper healing
A good surgeon will tell you about the rules for caring for a fresh scar immediately upon discharge from the hospital. Today, there are many medications that can stimulate the process of proper tissue regeneration and resorption of the scar. Most often, they are produced in the form of ointments, for example, “Kontraktubeks”, “Mederma”, “Pyrogenal” and “Dermatics”. Almost all of these funds can be used immediately after scar formation. It is important to apply the ointment regularly and follow the instructions for use. Often such superficial medication gives incredible results. Scars become almost invisible and literally dissolve before our eyes.
What do beauty salons offer us?
Patients who want to get rid of postoperative scars regularly come to esthetic medicine clinics and beauty parlors. One of the most gentle methods is mechanical grinding and micro grinding. You can go through this procedure no earlier than six months after the appearance of the scar. It is important to understand that this method will only have results if the scar is small and not too deep. For example, grinding is excellent for removing traces of careless
extrusion of acne.If you are worried about a postoperative scar not too large, you should think about a cryodestruction procedure. It is about treating connective tissue cells with liquid nitrogen. The same method allows you to get rid of warts and papillomas. After cryodestruction, the treated tissues die naturally and after a while they are replaced by healthy skin cells.
Laser removal
The laser has long been successfully used in cosmetology and medicine. The advantages of such devices are many. The laser beam acts on a selected area of tissue in a point and non-contact manner. Today, however, laser procedures to remove scars give only a cosmetic effect. Even the most modern devices can not destroy the scar tissue. But you can make a scar much lighter and more accurate. However, be prepared for the fact that you have to go through a whole course of procedures, and this treatment option is not recommended for all types of scars.
Plastic surgery
Surgery is considered the most radical and most effective way to improve the appearance and treatment option for many diseases today. If the scar is too large and noticeable, and more than 2 years have passed since its formation, it makes sense to think about plastic surgery. Depending on the type of scar and its size / location, the doctor will suggest the most effective option.
How to remove a postoperative scar if it is large and located on the visible part of the body? In this case, the doctor may suggest the option of excising the connective tissue and applying a cosmetic subcutaneous suture to the incision site. If the scar is large and very deep, and also characterized by flabbiness, it can be removed by cutting it out completely. After the operation, the skin surface will not look as perfect as in the previous version, but positive changes will certainly become noticeable.
Postoperative scars: before and after photos. Should scars be treated?
It is worth noting that the treatment of scars remaining after operations is not an expensive pleasure. Even the simplest healing ointments are sometimes quite expensive, let alone plastic surgery and salon methods. In addition, the treatment of postoperative scars will never help to forget about them completely. Usually, even with complex therapy, traces of scars remain. If you decide to join the struggle for the beauty of your skin, remember: it is impossible to completely remove the scar from surgery today without a trace. So is it worth trying to cure it and make it less noticeable? This is a personal question, it all depends on how inconvenient the scar owner is and how often he thinks about this peculiarity. If the scar prevents you from enjoying life and being happy, it is definitely worth trying to get rid of it.