Does scarless surgery exist?
The short answer to this question is no however this needs further exploration.
It is not uncommon for a patient to present with an unwanted scar on a part of the body and say “Please take this scar away”. The patient is often very disappointed to hear that it may be able to be improved but not completely removed as they may have an unrealistic expectation that plastic surgeons can make scars disappear. This is not possible. Part of the art and science of plastic surgery is the placement of scars in grooves or contours or in boundaries between anatomical structures in order to help conceal the scar.
Part of the art and science of elective plastic surgery is the placement of scars in grooves or contours.There are lots of examples of this for instance – facelift, blepharoplasty, liposuction, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, breast augmentation and the list goes on. In elective primary surgery the plastic surgeon can choose where the scar goes. However in revisionary cases, cancer surgery, trauma or any other cause of scarring where we do not get to choose where the scar goes then it obviously makes a difference to the end cosmetic result.
In elective primary surgery the plastic surgeon can choose where the scar goes.
This opinion piece was brought to you by Dr Damien Grinsell.
For more information or to answer any questions please feel free to call 03 85602999 or email enquiries@horizonplasticsurgery.com
