Will Abdominal Scar Revision Be Effective?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a scar in on my abdomen (from surgery on my pancreas and spleen) running from my diaphragm to just below the belly button. It goes through my belly button, and thus my previously “innie” belly button is now a bloated mess, let alone the “train tracks” on the scar running through my abbs. I wish to remove the train tracks, fix my belly button (make it an innie again) and fade the scar as much as possible. I’m mainly looking if it can be done and how effective would it be?

A: I would like to see a picture of your abdominal scar to determine what is possible. But having seen many such scars before, I would imagine that it can be completely excised including the suture tracks if there is enough lateral abdominal skin laxity. At the least, the scar can be narrowed considerably. The convex shape of the belly button can be converted back into a concave or inverted form at the same time. Given that the vertical abdominal scar runs completely vertical and perpendicular to the relaxed skin lines of the trunk, a subcuticular skin closure needs to be done with a secure suture such as that offered by the Quill line of barbed resorbable sutures. This can produce a very nice improvement from abdominal scar revision.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana