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Kids Health Information

Scar revision

  • Your doctor will advise you if there are sutures ('stitches') that need to be removed.

    Pain control

    Administer medications as required for pain (paracetamol and ibuprofen are available from pharmacies without prescription). Local anaesthetic is injected into the area at the time of surgery; this should wear off within 24 hours and an increase in pain may occur when the local anaesthetic ceases to have effect.

    Dressings

    Keep dressings dry, clean and intact until your review appointment, unless advised otherwise by your doctor. Some wounds may be left open with ointment to be applied; most wounds will be covered with some form of dressing.

    Activities

    Avoid strenuous activities in the first few days to prevent injury to the operation site.

    Wound care

    A scar will always be present after a cut on the skin, however the aim of the surgery is to improve the appearance of this scar. Your doctor will advise you how to care for the wound to produce the best cosmetic result. This may involve applying tapes for weeks or months, and/or twice daily massage with sorbolene cream or aloe vera. Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months and always use a strong sunscreen if sun exposure is unavoidable. The final scar result may not be seen for at least one year.

    Medical attention

    Seek medical attention in the event of:

    • Increasing pain or pain not relieved by medication
    • Persistent fever
    • General unwellness
    • Wound redness or discharge

    Follow-up

    Your follow-up appointment will be at one of the following:

    • Plastic Surgery Outpatients (Registrar Clinic), Blue Desk, Ground Floor, The Royal Children's Hospital (morning appointment)
    • Consultant Clinic 
    • Consultant Private Rooms 
    • Local doctor

    If you are unable to keep your appointment please call to reschedule.

    Contact

    Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery Office - 9345 5391
    Outpatient appointments - 9345 6180
    Plastic Surgery Resident or Registrar - via switchboard on 9345 5522


    Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Speech Pathology and Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed November 2015.

    Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.


Disclaimer  

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.