by DrCiuffo | Jun 29, 2018 | Blog, Advanced Heart Surgery, Dr. Giovanni B Ciuffo, Recovery, Scarless Heart Surgery, Sternotomy Scar
Heart Surgery Scars Heart surgery scars are a painful reminder of a long healing process following the trauma of open heart surgery. A sternotomy scar is often large and may remain tender long after the surgery. Surgery is, by nature, an invasive trauma to the body. Scars are the result of the body’s efforts to repair the damage. Why Don’t Scars Go Away? When the dermis, or skin, is damaged, the body does its best to repair the damage. Since the dermis is the first line of defense against invading germs and bacteria, it must be repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible. Therefore, rather than take the time to regrow normal skin, the body resorts to producing large amounts of collagen, a thick, fibrous tissue, producing a scar and protecting the body from invading bacteria. Do the Scars From Open Heart Surgery Go Away? While scars fade over time, a sternotomy scar will never fade entirely. The damage to the dermis and underlying tissue is far too extensive for the body to heal entirely. The scar may remain tender and “tight” for years following the surgery and will never go away. There are steps the patient can take to reduce scarring and help the body heal following surgery, but the open heart surgery scar will always remain. Can You Replace Scar Tissue with Normal Tissue? It is not possible to replace scar tissue. Producing scar tissue and healing the incisions from invasive surgery takes all of the body’s resources. Once the wound is sealed and the body protected from foreign bodies and bacteria, the scar is permanent. It... by DrCiuffo | Jan 21, 2015 | Blog, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Scarless Heart Surgery
Minimally invasive heart surgery has many benefits, including shorter recovery time and improved overall health, but the most cited result is typically the cosmetic one. Minimally invasive heart surgery is sometimes called “scarless heart surgery,” because of the nearly invisible scar that results from it. Cardiac patients now have more than one choice when it comes to the treatment for heart conditions and their cosmetic results. Heart Surgery Scar Picture Comparison Traditional (Sternotomy) Scarring Many people are familiar with traditional heart surgery scar. The long 8″ to 12″ incision leaves an unsightly scar, as shown in the graphic to the right. The large scar can be hard to hide with a lower cut or flimsy shirts. In some cases, the gash is the source of confidence issues and it becomes an overall nuisance. If you are researching heart surgery options, and do not want to have a ghastly mark on your body as the one shown, continue reading. Minimally Invasive (Scarless) Scarring The “scarless” heart surgery cosmetic result is shown on the left. Patients can expect a 2″ incision along the skin crease underneath the breast. When fully healed, the scar will turn into a thin white line that is barely visible. This tiny line can be hidden easily under low cut shirts, evening gowns, and the flimsiest of apparel. For female cardiac patients, the scar is usually hidden under the fold of the breast. This is very similar to the technique used by cosmetic surgeons for breast implant placement. See one of our female patients below. The first picture is a good demonstration of the superior cosmetic results we...
