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Flap Surgery for Scar Revision: What You Need to Know

Appearance-altering scars can frequently affect individuals by constantly reminding them of past surgeries, injuries, or skin conditions. While some scars may fade over time, others can be more prominent and affect a person’s self-confidence. Flap surgery is a surgical technique used to revise or improve the appearance of unsightly scars, and in this post, we will discuss the different types of flap surgery, why it is used for scar revision New Jersey, and what to expect during the procedure and recovery process.

What is Flap Surgery?

Flap surgery is a reconstructive surgical procedure that involves the use of skin flaps to repair damaged or missing skin. Skin flaps are sections of skin that may contain skin, fat, and muscle, and are often still attached to their original site, ensuring an adequate blood supply. This type of surgery allows for a more natural appearance and better blood vessel connections compared to skin grafts, which are pieces of healthy skin removed from one area of the body to repair another area. Plastic surgeons utilize various surgical techniques in flap surgery to treat different types of scars, such as hypertrophic scars and keloid scars.

Dr. Joanna Kam in New Jersey is a specialist in flap reconstruction surgery, offering minimally invasive treatment options for scar revision.
Dr. Kam in New Jersey specializes in scar revision surgery.

Types of Flap Surgery

There are several types of flap surgery, and the specific technique used depends on the location and severity of the scar. Some common types of flap surgery include:

  1. Local Flaps: These flaps are taken from the skin adjacent to the scar and are used to cover the defect. They are typically used for smaller scars and wounds.
  2. Regional Flaps: These flaps are taken from a nearby area of the body and are used to cover larger defects. They are often used for more extensive scars or wounds that cannot be closed with a local flap.
  3. Free Flaps: These flaps are completely detached from their original site and are reattached to the scar using microsurgery. This technique is used for complex cases where a local or regional flap is not feasible.

Why is Flap Surgery Used for Scar Revision?

Flap surgery is used for scar revision when other treatments, such as steroid injections, cryotherapy, or pressure therapy, are not effective or appropriate. Flap surgery can be particularly useful for treating keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, and contractures. Keloid scars are raised, thick clusters of scar tissue, that extend beyond the boundaries of the original skin defect. Hypertrophic scars resemble keloid scars, but they remain within the boundaries of the initial skin defect.

When a large skin area suffers damage and loss, it can result in contractures, tight skin areas that can influence muscle movement, joints, and tendons.

Preparing for Scar Revision Surgery with a Flap Procedure

Pre-Operative Evaluation and Preparation

Before undergoing skin flap surgery for scar revision, your surgeon will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the best treatment plan for your specific case. This may include a physical examination, a review of your medical history, and possibly imaging studies.

You may be advised to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs, before plastic surgery. It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to optimize healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Anesthesia for Scar Revision Surgery with a Flap Procedure

Flap surgery for scar revision can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the complex procedure and the patient’s preferences. Your surgeon will discuss the best option for you during your pre-operative consultation.

Surgical treatment is often necessary to reduce the appearance of unsightly scars and improve self-confidence.
Dr. Kam specializes in reconstructive procedures, such as skin flap surgeries

Skin Flap Procedure for Scar Revision

During the flap surgery for scar revision NJ, experienced plastic surgeons will carefully create a skin flap from the donor site, ensuring that it contains enough healthy tissue and blood supply to cover the scarred tissue. The flap is then carefully positioned over the scar, and the edges are sutured together to secure it in place. If a free flap is used, the blood vessels of the flap will be connected to those at the recipient site using microsurgery techniques.

In some cases, skin grafting may also be used in conjunction with a flap procedure to provide additional coverage or support. This involves removing a thin layer of healthy skin from a donor site and placing it over the flap or the wound bed to promote healing. Skin graft surgery can involve full-thickness skin grafts, split-thickness skin grafts, or other types of skin grafts, depending on the specific needs of the patient.

Scar revisions using skin flap surgery may involve various techniques, such as advancement flap, rotation flap, or tissue expansion. Factors such as the scar’s location and severity, the required flap type, and the availability of donor sites determine the choice of technique. Plastic surgeons may also use regional flaps, triangular flaps, musculocutaneous flaps, or other specialized flaps to address specific issues, such as extensive skin loss, skin cancer, or burn injuries.

Recovery from Scar Revision with Skin Flap

Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise after flap surgery for scar revision to optimize healing and minimize the risk of complications.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions for the best healing after flap surgery

Recovery from skin flap surgery for scar revision will vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient. It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to ensure optimal healing and minimize the risk of complications, such as flap failure or secondary contracture. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and limit normal activities for a few weeks after surgery or until the skin surface has adequately healed following flap surgery for scar revision. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise to optimize healing and minimize the risk of complications can help too. It is also important to keep the treated area clean and dry and to avoid exposing it to direct sunlight during the healing process.

Typically, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area and the donor site. These symptoms can be managed with pain medications, cold compresses, and elevation, as recommended by your surgeon. In addition, dressings will be applied to protect the wound from germs, reduce the risk of infection, and soak up fluids.

Benefits and Risks of Flap Surgery for Scar Revision

Benefits

Flap surgery for New Jersey scar revision offers several benefits, including:

  1. Improved appearance: By using a skin flap, the appearance of the scar can be significantly improved, resulting in a more natural and aesthetically pleasing result.
  2. Better blood supply: Skin flaps have their own blood supply, which promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of tissue breakdown or necrosis compared to skin grafts.
  3. Versatility: Flap surgery can be used to treat a wide range of scars, including keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, and contractures, making it a versatile treatment option for various scar types.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with flap surgery for scar revision. These may include:

  1. Infection: There is a risk of infection at the surgical site or the donor site. It is essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to minimize this risk.
  2. Bleeding: Excessive bleeding may occur during or after the procedure, which may require additional treatments to control.
  3. Scarring: Even though the goal of flap surgery is to improve scar tissue appearance, there is still the potential for new scars to develop at the donor or surgical site. However, these scars are generally less noticeable than the original scar and can be treated with additional scar revision techniques if necessary.
  4. Partial or complete flap loss: In rare cases, the flap may not receive adequate blood supply, leading to partial or complete flap loss. This may require an additional cosmetic surgery procedure to correct.

Consult with a Revision Scar Surgeon

If you are considering flap surgery for scar revision, it is crucial to consult with a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Joanna Kam in New Jersey, who specializes in this type of procedure. During your consultation, the surgeon will evaluate your scar and discuss your goals and expectations. Dr. Kam will determine if flap surgery is the best option for your specific scar and provide you with information on the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives. To schedule your consultation, please call 856-565-2903 or (Opens in a new tab) click here to schedule online.