Why does the operation leave scars?
Skin consists of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat layer. Epidermal injury, which we usually call skin trauma, often does not leave scars, but when trauma goes deep into dermis and subcutaneous fat layer, it usually leaves scars. Cleft lip surgery involves deep suture, not just in the epidermis, so leaving scars is almost inevitable.
After physical injury, the synthesis of collagen fibers near the wound is more active, which promotes wound healing and may form scars in the process. The first cleft lip operation was performed in infancy, and the scar tissue may be different from other positions in the process of rapid growth and development, which is also an objective factor leading to scar formation.
Some people think that the better the doctor's skills, the less likely it is to leave scars after the operation, but this is not the case. Poor suture, excessive tension of surgical incision and unreasonable design of surgical incision lead to more obvious postoperative scars, but the formation of scars is also affected by personal physique, postoperative nursing and other factors. Even a highly skilled doctor can only minimize scars and cannot guarantee that there will be no scars after surgery. Those who swear that they will never leave scars are charlatans.
Various methods to deal with postoperative scars
Although there will be scars after cleft lip surgery, there are ways to deal with them.
Postoperative wound should be kept clean, anti-inflammatory drugs should be used as required, and analgesic drugs should be used to relieve pain if necessary. After the wound is healed, some scar-removing drugs can be used, such as scar lotion, polysulfonate mucopolysaccharide cream, asiaticoside cream and so on. Drugs can't completely eliminate the scar after cleft lip surgery, but they can also play a role in reducing the scar formation and diluting the scar.
Tiny scars usually don't need treatment, but they can be covered up by makeup. If individuals want to further improve, they can have laser treatment in plastic surgery in regular hospitals. Laser can improve local redness, roughness and pigmentation.
If the scar is wide and obvious, it can be treated surgically, and the scar tissue can be removed by plastic and cosmetic surgeons for fine cosmetic super-tension suture. Scar usually takes 3 years or more to stabilize, and then scar repair surgery can be performed. It is not advisable to operate prematurely.
Male patients can also hide surgical scars by transplanting hair, that is, taking hair follicles from the pillow and transplanting them between the lips and nose. With the modification of the beard, the scar will also become inconspicuous visually.
Although the current technology can not guarantee the complete elimination of scars, patients with cleft lip can recover their appearance and normal life to the maximum extent after surgical treatment and scar repair. Parents should not blame themselves and regret for their children's cleft lip. Children's mental health is closely related to family environment. Parents' excessive attention to this physical defect has deepened their inferiority complex. The best way is to treat it with a normal heart.