Hypertrophic Scars and Keliods

The procedure

The scar is delimited

The scar is delimited. Then, local anesthesia containing adrenaline is injected in the incision site. An incision may be needed to surgically remove the old scar. The major part of the subcutaneous scar is excised. Finally, the defect is closed in layers, with soft sutures. The deep and superficial layers are closed with soft material sutures.

Changing scar direction

Scars that cross joints or skin creases at right angles are prone to develop shortening or contracture, and tend to be hypertrophic. In these cases, the surgeon changes the scar´s direction to alleviate the contracture and make the scar less visible. Z-plasty, W-plasty and V-Yplasty are the surgical techniques most commonly used to improve appearance of scars.

Hypertrophic scars and keloids

What are hypertrophic scars and keloids?

The hypertrophic scars and keloids are two kinds of excessive scarring in the normal healing process. Abnormal scars form when the body continues producing collagen after the wound has healed. The wound expands in all directions, and may be deeper and wider than normal.

Hypertrophic scar is red, thick and itchy, but does not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Keloid scar is the skin lesion that grows beyond its edges, erythematous and prone to grow as a tumor. Keloids are different from hypertrophic scars, which are less thick and deformed. These scars may be improved through an appropriate scar revision and postoperative care.