1.Can scars be surgically removed?
A: Usually, the recurrence rate of scars after surgical excision alone is close to 100%, so keloid scars must be treated with a comprehensive method of electronic wire irradiation or drug injection after surgical excision. For smaller scars, complete surgical excision followed by local electron beam irradiation to prevent recurrence is effective, with a cure rate of 80-90%. For larger scars, partial surgical excision followed by local radiation therapy or injection of low concentration drugs to prevent recurrence is effective. Not only can the scars be cured in a shorter period of time, but also can reduce the side effects produced by the injected drugs, reduce the patient’s pain and the number of follow-up visits, and the final local condition of the skin (color and elasticity) after the cure is better than that of those who simply inject drugs without surgery.
2.What preparatory work is needed before the surgery?
A: The day before the surgery, you need to take a bath and wash the scar thoroughly with soapy water. The dirt left in the gap between the scar can be cleaned up with a cotton swab dipped in 75% medical alcohol. For scars on the perineum and armpits, the surrounding hair must be shaved off. Alcohol is prohibited the day before and on the day of surgery.
3.Do I need to be hospitalized?
A: Local anesthesia surgery, no hospitalization is required, the same day you come to do the same day, you can go home the same day. However, you need to come to the hospital regularly for medication change and electron beam irradiation according to the doctor’s prescription. Patients under general anesthesia or sedation need to be hospitalized for observation and stay for 1-3 days depending on their condition.
4.Do I need to fast?
Local anesthesia surgery does not require fasting, and cannot be performed on an empty stomach to avoid deficiency. General anesthesia surgery requires fasting.
5.Do I need infusion after surgery?
A: Local anesthesia surgery is generally not necessary, oral antibiotics can be taken. General anesthesia surgery requires infusion of fluids.
6.Do I need to take painkillers?
A: Generally not required.
7.When to change the medicine and remove the stitches after surgery? Can I go to other hospitals?
A: Generally, about three days after the surgery, the medication is changed (disinfection of the incision and replacement of clean gauze). The stitches are usually removed in 5-7 days for the head and face, and 7-10 days for other parts. At the end of the surgery, the doctor will tell you the specific time to change the medication and remove the stitches and write it down in the medical record book in case the patient forgets. In special cases, with the consent of the attending doctor, you can go home and have your stitches changed and removed at the local hospital.
8.When do I start follow-up and injections after surgery?
A: For patients who have undergone radiotherapy after surgery, the first follow-up is usually 1 month after surgery, and then once every 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery if recovery is good. Patients who have not been treated with radiotherapy will need to be seen every month after surgery and will need regular injections of medication. If you are afraid of trouble and do not come for treatment without permission, the scar is very likely to recur.
9.What do I need to pay attention to in terms of diet? Can I eat seafood? Can I eat soy sauce?
A: Regardless of whether you have surgery or not, as long as you have scars, you should follow the principle of “avoid smoking and alcohol, and avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods. Soy sauce can be eaten. As for seafood, it depends on the individual. Some people are allergic to seafood and will get rashes and red and itchy scars after eating it, so don’t eat it. If there is no bad reaction, then you can continue to eat seafood, but in general, do not eat large fish and meat “to supplement the body”, and the diet should be light.
10.What conditions should not be operated?
A: Women should not operate during menstruation; do not operate during cold and fever, diarrhea; do not operate if there is infection in and around the operation area (except for scars with long-term chronic infection); do not operate if there is blood clotting disorder. Patients with diabetes mellitus should not have surgery. Patients with high blood pressure must explain to the doctor at the time of consultation. Those whose blood pressure is controlled within the normal range by oral antihypertensive drugs can have surgery, otherwise, surgery is not recommended. Patients who have been taking oral anticoagulant drugs for a long time must stop using such drugs in and 3 days before surgery, otherwise surgery is not advisable.
11.What else do I need to tell the doctor besides the keloid condition?
A: If you also have other diseases or allergies to medications and foods, you should tell your doctor during your visit.