Clinical Management of Scars

The fibrous tissue which replaces the normal skin following an injury is termed as a scar. It is an integral part of the wound repair process. Scar tissue and the tissue are made up of the same protein, but the fiber composition differs. Generally, the functional quality of scar tissue is inferior to the original tissue. However, in cases such as bones, there is no functional or structural deterioration after healing. There are various types of scar tissue, namely, hypertrophic, atrophic, keloid and stretch marks. Hypertrophic scars are raised above the surrounding skin due to the overproduction of the collagen by the body. Keloid scars are able to grow indefinitely into large neoplasms. The objective of this book is to give a general view of scars and their clinical management. It is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in this field. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.