Scars can hurt, both physically and psychologically.
Globally, around 100 million individuals have some kind of a scar, experts say. Though most scars cannot be removed completely, they can be revised through certain procedures to reduce their prominence.
Scars are depositions of fibrous tissue caused by accidents, burns, surgeries and most commonly, acne. Even cuts made for surgeries can leave behind scars.
So how do doctors classify scars? Thickened red scars confined to the injury site are hypertrophic scars, while a thick scar that grows into normal tissue is a keloid.
“When the scar is on the face or any exposed part of the body, it causes the person anxiety. Another issue is that scars are painful and itchy,” says J. Jaganmohan, head, plastic surgery and burns department, Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.
Once the wound heals, the scar can be massaged using oil or cream. “Custom-made pressure garments such as jackets, gloves or stockings can be worn,” Dr. Jaganmohan adds.
Application of silicon gel and steroid injections (to provide relief from itching) also helps. At times, multimodal treatment is taken up for better management of the scars, K. Sridhar, director, Institute of Plastic Surgery, SRM Institute of Medical Sciences, says.
Surgeons play a pivotal role in minimising surgical scars. Smaller incisions, wherever possible; selecting natural skin traces for incisions and subcutaneous sutures help.
One of the primary reasons people queue up to see dermatologists is acne-induced scars. G.R. Ratnavel, head of cosmetology, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, said 70 to 80 per cent of acne scarring was due to touching/squeezing pimples and wrong treatment methods.
There are several techniques to reduce scars and help the formation of new skin. “But no scar can be removed. It can only be revised,” he says
After we learnt that the police must intimate the Medical Council of India in any case of alleged medical negligence, here is some news for those on the other side: doctors.
In an effort to protect doctors and deal with legal notices, the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Indian Medical Association set up a legal committee in 1998.
It is now headed by C. Thangamuthu, a 74-year-old retired surgeon.
“In the last few years we have been processing a lot more legal notices. We prepare detailed replies about the doctor’s effort, what the medical literature says and how we have not failed in our duties.
Not every doctor is conversant with laws. The committee replies on their behalf to the lawyer and the patient, by quoting from relevant textbooks and earlier judgments,” Dr. Thangamuthu explains.
This offers patients and their family an opportunity to learn and verify from competent medical authorities.
“We want to educate the public about what medical science is,” he adds.
The committee has received 85 complaints in the past nine months since Dr. Thangamuthu took over. Five per cent of the complainants have gone to consumer court.
(Reporting by Serena Josephine M. and R. Sujatha)
