Which Surgery Would Remove This Hole from my Cheek?

asked 2 years ago by jbr3223 in USA
Latest answer by Matheson A. Harris, MD
Question viewed 1,294 times
Tags: cheeks, cyst

I've had the hole on my cheek since then (for about 4 years). It is 2mm in diameter and approximately 2-3mm in depth from the skin surface. Which surgery would remove (or minimize as much as possible) the hole? What are my options?

11 answers to Which Surgery Would Remove This Hole from my Cheek?

Round scar on cheek

When scars are indented like this, it is best to excise them along natural skin tension lines with careful closure. The resulting scar will usually be much less noticeable.

Matheson A. Harris, MD
Salt Lake City Oculoplastic Surgeon

Options for correcting hole in cheek

The photo is rather blurry, but, as several others have commented, an option that is often useful is excision of the defect and careful layered closure. During the healing period care must be taken with proper wound care. If scarring started to re-develop, steroid injections and other scar treatments could be considered. Mark Lucarelli, MD, FACS Madison, WI

Mark J. Lucarelli, MD
Madison Oculoplastic Surgeon

Cheek Defect Can Be Removed And Made Smooth By Excision and Layered Closure

The photo makes it impossible to know exactly what this cheek hole is. But the description by measurement suggests it is a small skin indentation that goes just below the skin surface. This could be closed through an excision done in parallel to a relaxed skin tension line or adjoining wrinkle. Because it is a small size, it can simply be closed in multiple layers. This could be done as an office procedure under local anesthesia.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Options for 'Ice-Pick' Scar of the cheek

It is difficult to completely assess the scar based on the blurry photos. However, this 'hole' is best managed by complete excision and meticulous closure. Although a dermal punch technique is often used, I thing an eliptical excision minding natural wrinkles and contours of the face would give the best result.

Carlo Rob Bernardino, MD
Monterey Oculoplastic Surgeon

Punch excision for ice pick scar

Punch excision is the standard of care for ice pick scar. The only complication may be if an epidermal inclusion cyst exists underneath the hole where the cyst sac should be removed prior to repair or else you may be dealing with a bigger problem of an inflamed cyst. Consult with a board-certified dermatologic surgeon or plastic surgeon.

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Picture quality poor....maybe scar revision

Hello, This might be an acne ice pick scar. A scar revision might work but I'd need to see you to figure it out. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Surgery for your cheek

I would recommend using a punch biopsy technique to remove this area. The skin is closed in a straight line with a few skin sutures. This is an office procedure. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Repair of cheek scar

I do agree with the previous surgeons that the best option is likely excision of the scar and defect in the skin with very meticulous repair. Additional photos would allow me to give a more specific answer and an in office consultation with an experience plastic surgeon would give you the most accurate information. I would add that a procedure like that I've described can be optimized in certain patients with dermabrasion ("sanding") of the skin about 6 weeks after scar... more

Stephen Weber, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Surgical treatments for ice-pick acne scars are effective

This appears to be an 'ice pick' scar of the face- the simple solution is the remove the scar entirely using a punch biopsy instrument and closing the resulting wound (not much larger than original hole) with a couple of sutures. This will result in a linear scar which should heal quite well. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Options for repair of facial scars

There are several options for treatment of scarring. The exact option would be determined after consultation with a surgeon. This looks rather large and more information would be needed before a recommendation would be made. I would suggest visiting a facial plastic surgeon to determine your best option for treatment.

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

A Dermal Punch would improve this Ice Pick Scar

Although the photo is slightly blurry, this looks like an "ice pick" scar, meaning that it is relatively small but deep. Often times, these scars are related to acne. There are a variety of ways to treat ice pick scars, one of which is to use a dermal punch technique. This involves numbing the skin and using a small round blade that is just slighty larger than the hole. The entirety of the hole must be removed including its deepest part. After the scar is removed, it can be... more