Surgical Scar Therapy

Scars are the final result of many different traumas. Irrespective of their cause they can not only disturb aesthetic harmony but also interfere with functional requirements. Both can mandate the need for surgical scar improvement. Surgical scar therapy can either be targeted on removing, improving, or modifying a scar for a better aesthetic and/or functional outcome. There are various surgical options for scar therapy. Since not every method is suitable for every scar, making the right choice is essential. Extensive experience and a broad knowledge of the different techniques and their effects, risks, and limitations is crucial. This chapter focuses on different surgical therapeutic options in scar reconstructive therapy, such as serial excision, dermabrasion, local flap surgery, pedicled regional flaps, microvascular free flaps, use of tissue expanders, lipofilling, split-thickness skin grafting, full-thickness skin grafting, and hair transplantation. The importance of the relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs) and the consecutive planning of the surgery is emphasized.