Scars might not be painful but can affect your feelings, especially in social or professional settings. Fortunately, you do not have to live with those scars anymore. The scar revision Houston specialists offer different techniques to blend your scars to your skin such that they are un-notable. Different approaches can be taken depending on the nature of your scars and your individual goal. All that matters are the results that will promote your self-esteem and confidence, especially when the right approach is chosen and customized. Here are the different types of scar revision techniques.
Z-Plasty
Your provider can recommend Z-plasty, a surgical technique that can improve your scars’ appearance or function. Your provider marks a line with the greatest tension of the scar and makes a z-shaped incision along it. The triangular flips formed are swapped in positions breaking a linear scar to make it less noticeable. The techniques release the tension from the scar by aligning its linear direction. It can also reposition the scar along your natural skin creases, camouflaging it. Your doctor can use other variations of the Z-plasty technique, including the S-plasty for oval scars and the W-plasty for short scars, especially on the face.
Fusiform Elliptical Excision
Scars typically mature and deep can be effectively reduced using the fusiform elliptical excision surgical technique. Your provider will surgically remove the scar tissue and a small portion of normal tissue, creating edges on every tissue. The edges are sewn together through fine closures. Your doctor ensures that the edges fit together by chamfering the edges in a tongue-and-grove design.
V-Y and Y-V
Small contracted scars or scars with visible bulging on the edges can be reduced using V-Y and Y-V techniques. Your doctor can recommend these dual techniques when dealing with scars around the eyes or the mouth. Your provider makes a V-shaped incision along the scar’s edge and cuts a large portion of tissue from both sides. They then sew the remaining scar portion to create a Y-shaped wound. Your provider can also make a Y-shaped incision in the initial step and pull the triangular edge towards the bottom of the incision when the resected tissue is eliminated. The result is a V-shaped wound.
Geometric Broken Line Closure
It is one of the most complex techniques in scar revision. It mainly deals with large scars on concave or convex surfaces. Your doctor can recommend the treatment if you have scars on your forehead or cheeks. Your provider makes an incision through the center of the scar and cuts random geometric patterns on one side. Whether your doctor cuts square, triangular teeth, or semi-circles notches, they will create similar patterns on the other side. Finally, the edges of the patterns from both sides are joined.
Grafts and Flaps
Significant scars or burns can be improved using skin grafts and local flaps. Skin grafts are made by moving healthy tissue to another part of your body to promote the development of new blood vessels. The local flaps involve cutting a portion of healthy skin tissue with active blood flow and shifting its adjacent area.
The embarrassment from the scars can be short-lived when you seek scar revision. The Yeung Institute experienced plastic surgeons can help you know the right technique for your scars. A consultation appointment is a phone call away. Do not wait.
