Children
Nasal Fracture
The nose is the most commonly fractured facial structure. Nasal fractures account for approximately 50% of sports-related facial fracture. The fact that broken noses are so common may account for the high number that go undertreated. This is a risk itself as acute nasal fractures lead to chronic nasal deformities. Sometimes breathing difficulties that may impair the performance of competitive athletes can develop as well.
Call us at 202.364.6673 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Walker
Otoplasty
Otoplasty, known as ear surgery, can create a natural shape and bring balance and proportion to your ears and face. Fixing even minor deformities can have profound benefits to your appearance and self-esteem.
Specifically ear surgery can treat:
- Overly large ears — a rare condition called macrotia
- Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
- Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery
Ear Surgery Candidates
Ideal candidates for ear surgery are those who
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery
Ear Surgery Procedure
Medications are administered for patient comfort during the surgical procedure. Incisions for otoplasty are generally made on the back surface of the ear. When incisions are necessary on the front of the ear, they are made within its folds to hide them. Internal, non-removable sutures are used to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place. External stitches close the incision. Techniques are individualized, taking care not to distort other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance.
What to Expect After Surgery
Ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible once the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear.
Call us at 202.364.6673 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Walker
Lacerations
Managing the appearance of a wound
A laceration is a wound anywhere on the body caused by a sharp or dull object. Depending on the sharpness of the object the edges may be jagged, dirty, or bleeding. Lacerations most often affect the skin but any tissue may be lacerated, including subcutaneous fat, tendon, nerves, blood vessels, muscle, or bone.
Plastic surgeons form part of the team of primary care physicians, emergency room physicians, and surgeons who repair lacerations. The main goals are to stop bleeding, prevent infection, preserve function, and restore appearance.
Dr. Walker is trained in the techniques and suture materials available to minimize scarring and using these can improve the appearance of many scars by simply handling the laceration correctly.
Laceration surgery falls into four categories
- Direct closure or stitches are primarily used on wounds that are not very deep. The ultimate goal is to permanently close the wound and minimize scarring.
- Skin grafts are used on wounds that are too wide to be closed directly. The surgeon removes healthy skin from another area on the patient’s body and covers the open wound with it.
- Tissue expansion is a technique used in cases where a significant amount of skin has been lost, creating an area too large to be covered with a small amount of skin grafted from the patient’s body. This requires the surgeon to acquire new tissue to cover the area. This is achieved by inserting a balloon under a healthy area of skin, slowly inflating it with salt water until the skin stretches to the required size. Eventually the wound can be repaired using the extra skin formed by the expansion process.
- Flap surgery involves the removal of living tissue, including its blood supply, from one area of the body and transplanting it to the area that needs it.
Call us at 202.364.6673 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Walker
Scar Revision
Scars may be the result from everyday falls, while others may be due to severe acne. There are more problematic cases caused by car accidents, fires, wounds, viruses, and surgeries. While the most common symptom is low self-esteem, other symptopms may cause limited mobility, itching, or pain.
Dr. Walker meets with her patients to dicuss the type of scarring (keloid, hypertrophic, depressed, elevated, etc.) and the best course of action to remedy it. It is imporant to note that nothing can totally eliminate scars however, they can often be improved in appearance.
What Happens During Scar Reduction Surgery?
The various techniques used to reduce scars include injecting raised (hypertrophic and keloid) scars with steroids and 5-Fluorouracil or injectable fillers for depressed or indented scars.
The Best Candidates for Scar Reduction
Scar reduction is a good option for you if:
- You are physically healthy
- You do not smoke
- You have specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
Scar Treatment Options for Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars
Hypertrophic, keloid, painful, and itching scars will usually respond to a combination of injections with steroids and 5-FU. These treatments may be combined with surgical excisions or lasers that interact with capillaries (pulse dye or YAG lasers.)
Injectable Filler for Treatment of Depressed Scars
To learn about how injectable fillers can be used for treatment of depressed scars and learn about fat injection, and products we believe in like Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse.
In some rare cases scar tissue is excised and the incision closed with a delicate surgical technique, leaving a much-improved, less noticeable scar.
