Can Facial Scar Revision Be Performed In A Young Child?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in facial scar revision for my son. My son will be five years old this year. About 2 years ago, he hit his head on an end table and got a cut above his eye. We took him to the local emergency room and they glued it back together. He has a terrible scar now. About a year ago, I took him to a few local plastic surgeons and they all said there was anything they could do for him. I am desperate to find some way of improving how this looks. I am attaching a photo for reference. Is there anything that can be done to improve how the scar looks? I realize there is no way of eliminating the scar, but I hope there is at least some ways of making it not as noticeable. I was very impressed by the examples of your work shown on your website.

Facial Scar Revision Dr Barry Eppley IndianapolisA: When considering facial scar revision, the most important question is what are the physical characteristics of the scar and how mature is the scar. Scar revision is most effective in scars that have altered surface contours (wide, depressed, raised) or are in poor orientation to the relaxed skin tension lines of the face. Your son’s scar is very wide and slightly depressed above his eyebrow. I would certainly not agree that there is no improvement that is possible for it. The scar can be excised and closed in a fine narrow line with a smoother skin surface. While this will not eliminate or erase the scar, some definite improvement can be obtained. The reluctance to offer scar revision in your son may have been because he is so young. But a young age does not preclude scar revision surgery nor foretell of a poor outcome should it be done.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana