What are the steps involved in the excision and suturing process for depressed scars?

Generally, the excision and suturing process for depressed scars mainly includes the following steps: incision design, incision and exposure, release of local adhesions, defect filling, layered closure of the wound, and tension reduction. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Incision Design

The surgeon will design an appropriate incision line according to the shape and size of the scar to ensure the surgical incision fully exposes the defective area and facilitates instrument access.

2. Incision and Exposure

Using a scalpel, the surgeon makes an incision along the designed line to fully expose the lesion area. During the incision process, the surgeon takes care to protect surrounding important tissues and blood vessels.

3. Release of Local Adhesions

For depressed scars with local adhesions, the surgeon performs a release procedure to restore the normal anatomical structure of the tissue.

4. Defect Filling

The surrounding subcutaneous tissues are approximated and used to fill the defective area. It is important to ensure the appropriate volume of tissue is used to avoid postoperative depression or bulging.

5. Layered Closure of the Wound

After filling the defect, the surgeon closes the wound in layers, including suturing the subcutaneous tissue, dermis, and epidermis. During suturing, the surgeon ensures the wound remains flat and tension is appropriately balanced.

6. Tension Reduction

To reduce postoperative scar hypertrophy and widening, the surgeon uses absorbable sutures for tension reduction. This helps decrease tension on both sides of the incision and promotes wound healing.

After surgery, patients should keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection. Additionally, patients should avoid strenuous activity and excessive fatigue to prevent compromising wound healing.