Scar Revision in Westchester County, NY

Plastic surgeons perform scar revision to improve aesthetic appearance of the scar and function of the affected area, essentially replacing one scar for another smaller or less noticeable one. Though plastic surgery can improve the appearance of a scar, whether from an injury, surgery or other cause, it is important to keep in mind that complete restoration to preinjury state is impossible.

Scar types that may respond to revision include keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, and contractures. Keloids appear as an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue that grows beyond the boundaries of the original injury. Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, are raised scars that do not grow beyond boundaries of injury, and may diminish over time. Contractures occur when scar tissue pulls the edges of the skin together, often restricting movement.

Among the many approaches to scar revision are Z and W-plasty; fusiform scar, shave, and partial or serial excisions; local flap coverage; skin grafting; and pedicled or free flaps.

Reasons for Scar Revision Surgery

You may want to consider scar revision surgery if your scars:

• Span across anatomic regions
• Are constantly subjected to wrinkling of the skin, or are
• Functionally or cosmetically undesirable

How Scar Revision Works

During scar revision surgery, skin tissue is strategically removed from the scar and surrounding area in a specific shape or pattern that aids in diminishing the size of the original scar.

For scars that are too large to be revised in one procedure, and that lack sufficient skin for a local skin flap, partial or serial excisions may be selected. During these procedures, an area of tissue shaped like an ellipse is excised from the scar’s center, and the sides of wound are undermined for closure.

Z-plasty and W-plasty prove to be successful approaches to contractures because they work to reposition the scars along the natural lines of the skin, making them less visible. The surgeon conducts a Z-plasty by making a Z-shaped incision with the middle line running along the scar tissue. The flaps of skin formed by the other lines of the Z are then rotated, repositioning the scar about 90 degrees, and thereby breaking up the straight line of the scar into smaller units.

In a similar manner, the W-plasty diminishes the scar appearance by turning a straight line into an

asymmetrical one, but without the formation and repositioning of skin flaps. Here, the surgeon makes a series of short incisions, forming a zigzag pattern to replace the straight line of the scar.

After Scar Revision

Some scar revision treatments are best cared for with pain medication, rest, and wound and bandage care. If skin grafts or flaps are used, postoperative care will begin in the hospital. Your surgeon may recommend follow-up sessions to determine the success of the surgery and your recovery.

New York plastic surgeon Dr. Neal Goldberg welcomes your questions and concerns about scar revision. Please call us at (914) 559-1107 if you would like to receive more information or set up an appointment. Our offices are located in Dobbs Ferry near White Plains, and in Westchester, New York.