What Can I Do About An Open Heart Surgery Scar? (photo)

Question

I had an open heart surgery 6 years ago and now I'm living with a huge scar in front of my breast. I accepted it, never show off this scar and wear terrible clothes, but now, I will get married soon and this scar scares me, I'm so ugly with it, I feel uncomfortable to show it to anybody, even to my fiancé. Can this scar be made smaller or even look better than the recent one?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Chest keloids from heart surgery can be treated non surgically with the following: 

	
		Selective IIT
	
		Cryotherapy
	
		Pressure Treatment
	
		Pulsed Dye Scar Laser

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

A keloid scar on the chest is very common after heart surgery. The treatment of choice is injection of cortisone (& less commonly 5-fluorouracil), sometimes along with liquid nitrogen. Topical therapy in this situation is of minimal benefit. Speak with your dermatologist about the best treatment option for you.

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

It looks like you have a keloid scar. The first treatment would be to inject with Kenalog (a type of cortisone medicine). Another option is to inject with 5-fluorouracil to shrink the scar tissue. 5-fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug which works well for thick scars. I typically do a urine pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy prior to injecting in a female patient. Usually repeat injections will shrink a keloid over time. You should see a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

You have a very hypertrophiv irregular sternal incision scar. Best to seek in person care from steroid injections over a few months, possible re excision to radiation (doubtful).

What Can I Do About An Open Heart Surgery Scar? (photo)

Answers (4)