Wound closure
What is wound closure?
Methods
Risks
What is wound closure?
Though all surgeons close wounds, there are times
when the special skill of a plastic surgeon is
needed. Their expertise can improve healing and
reduce scaring when a wound is large, jagged or
cannot be covered with the skin currently at the
site.
Each surgery is unique, and your doctor will
talk with you about what type of wound closure
option is best in your particular case.
Methods
Small wounds
Traditionally, doctors have used stitches or sutures
to close wounds. While basic suturing techniques
continue to be essential, surgeons today have
a wide range of materials available, including:
- Absorbable sutures
- Adhesives
- Synthetic sutures
- Tape
Skin grafts
Using a graft of healthy skin from another part
of the body, doctors are able to cover and close
wounds where there is a lack of adjacent skin
to use. The transplanted healthy skin heals into
the new location. Skin grafts are often used to
help burn victims.
Tissue expansion
This technique allows plastic surgeons to stretch
the skin and underlying tissue. First, a balloon
is inserted under the skin. Then, over time, the
balloon is filled with water. The process stretches
the skin and soon there is enough excess to close
the wound. The method is most often used in breast
reconstructions, but can be useful in most parts
of the body.
Flaps
During this intricate procedure, surgeons
move skin, muscle and/or bone from one part of
the body to another area. The flap may be kept
alive with its own blood vessels or blood vessels
from this flap are reattached to vessels in the
new location using microsurgery.
Flaps are frequently used to treat cancer and
trauma patients.
Risks
Surgery has risks, but you can help prevent complications
by carefully following your physician's instructions
both before and after surgery. Talk with your
plastic surgeon to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
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