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Using super tension-relieving suture technique combined with W-plasty for facial scar repair: a retrospective
Qi Luan1,2, Zhouji Ma1, Huiru Zhuang1
1Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining the super tension-relieving suture technique with W-plasty in the repair of facial scars, comparing its outcomes to conventional suture methods.
Method:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 81 patients with facial scars treated at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, between January 2022 and September 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: one received the combined super tension-relieving suture and W-plasty technique, while the other underwent conventional scar excision and linear closure. Scar quality was assessed preoperatively and six months postoperatively using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).
Result:
Postoperative evaluations revealed improvements in scar quality for both groups. However, the combination method group showed a trend toward improved outcomes compared with the control group, including better scores on the VSS scale (pigmentation, P< 0.05 after FDR correction) and POSAS scale (color and pigmentation, P < 0.05 after FDR correction). The total scores in VSS, PSAS and OSAS scale were significantly lower in the combination group (P < 0.05 after FDR correction), indicating enhanced scar appearance and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion:
The combination of the super tension-relieving suture technique and W-plasty is an effective approach for facial scar repair, yielding superior aesthetic and functional results compared to conventional methods. This technique addresses mechanical tension and aligns with natural skin lines, making it a promising option for scar revision in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
