Scar

From WikiLectures

A scar (cicatrix) is the result of the wound healing process. Scars can cause an annoying cosmetic issue or functional disorders.

The quality of the scar tissue is determined by: the process of own healing (per primam/per secundam), deposition of the wound in the lines of skin fissibility , character of the wound, type of skin (thick, thin, oily, dry, sweaty), location of the wound (face, limbs, trunk), extent and depth of the scar, general diseases (endocrine, immunological, metabolic), age (childhood, puberty, old age), suture technique (suture type, stitch quality, tension of the wound edges), way of covering the wound and its treatment and wound infection.

Scar
Scar after carpal tunnel surgery

The most delicate scars usually occur after cuts in Langer's cleavage lines in the skin of the face and lower abdomen.

Types of Scars[edit | edit source]

keloid scar

Fine-line scars - after careful and precise suturing of a wound that healed without complications and whose surroundings and edges were not bruised.

Wide spread scars - after wounds sutured under tension, unfavorably stored, improperly treated, etc.

Ladder scars - widely spaced stitches.

Sunken scars - after poor adaptation and imprecise deep tissue suturing.

Scar contractures - contract the surrounding tissue. They can be the cause of extropia, contractures of the fingers with impaired function.

Surface scars - the result of skin damage in the area (e.g. after burns, burns, scalds).

Post-radiation scars - area with hyperpigmentation/depigmentation.

Hypertrophic scars - the result of healing disorders (often after deep burns or chemical burns).

Keloid scars - the cause is unknown, probably endocrine (e.g. thyreopathy), metabolic (diabetes mellitus), wound tension, reaction to a foreign body, genetic predisposition . Most often between the ages of 12 and 25. Mainly on the chest, back, shoulders, neck from the back. Scar tissue extends beyond the original injury. Itching and pain are often present.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

For large surface scars, skin transplantation is performed in full thickness. Scars with perfect adaptation of the edges are treated with excision. Next, a Z-plasty is performed, which lengthens the skin in the required direction. A special ointment is applied to hypertrophic and keloid scars, corticoids or plasters with silicone gel are applied, laser is also performed. In therapy, we also use various massages, etc.

Links[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • BURGHER, Jan. Introduction to Plastic Surgery. 1. edition. Prague : Charles University in Prague - Karolinum Publishers, 2005. 125 pp. ISBN 80-246-1150-3.