Horizontal abdominal scar revision - Indented and raised? (photo)

Thank you very much for your enquiry
and kindly enclosing a photograph of your scar.



It would be possible to revise the
scarring by removing the scarring and the underlying adhesions. The adhesion is where the skin is held down
onto the muscles and pull the scar in.



Some surgeons are reluctant to
perform surgery on people with cystic fibrosis as they can have problems with
their lungs following operation.



I think it would be best to discuss this
fully with your surgeon and also whether it would be possible to correct the
scar under local anaesthetic which reduces the risk of having a general
anaesthetic.

Best wishes.

Thank you for your very articulate question and for providing the photograph.  This scar very likely can be improved.  It is indented as you know.  This is most likely because there is a lack of tissue right underneath the scar, leading to the indentation/depression.  By removing the old scar and sliding some tissue underneath the area and then closing the skin with sutures, this area should be improved.  This is a relatively simple procedure.  A board certified plastic surgeon is well equipped to treat this for you.  The surgery will help improve the contour and the scar quality.  After surgery your plastic surgeon will closely follow the scar to make sure it is healing well.  Sometimes if the scar is becoming thick we sometimes inject it with steroids to keep it flat and on occasion recommend LASER treatments.  An in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon will provide you more specific information. Good luck!Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Yes, we should be able to improve the scar by revising it and bringing in the local tissue to prevent it from becoming depressed again.