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Reopening the scar or a new incision?

Glass Not Full
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Hi

After my ovarian cancer surgery, with a large midline scar, my gynaecologist now wants to take me back to theatre to check for any further spread.

My CNS has said that I will be asked on the morning of the surgery when he sees me, if I would prefer the surgeon to reopen the original scar or to make a separate incision.

Are there any benefits or greater risks for either option? I know that I already have a lot of adhesions. I’m therefore wondering if it’s perhaps best to leave the one scar to continue to heal and ask for a new incision if possible?

  • Hi Glass Not Full,

    My name is Keith and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    Welcome to the online community hope you are finding the support helpful.

    On this platform as we are a charitable organisation, we don’t have access to your medical information. For this reason, we have limited information re your clinical history.

    In a situation we would always recommend discussing the pros and cons with your surgeon regarding re-opening your old incision site. The rational around this could be for a number or reasons, such as cosmetic. Scars will leave a long-term mark for example so personal choice may be to only have one scar in this area.

     Your consultant may or may not choose a new site for surgical reasons such as possible adhesions or better visualisation of the surgical incision/procedure in the area required.  Or possibly to prevent further nerve and tissue damage or limit this as much as possible.

    It may also be worthwhile discussing if there would be any alternatives such as laparoscopic technique (key hole surgery) to reduce scars size for example if new incisions where needed.  

    In a situation it always best to discuss with your surgeon what their thoughts are regarding this, as every situation can be different.

     On this platform it can be difficult to have a two-way conversation and to fully understand what you are going through.

    If you’d like further explanation or have any other questions, please feel free to recontact us. Or if you it may help to discuss things with someone outside the loop please feel free to give us a call or contact us via our web chat platform.

     take care.

    Keith, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref KM/DM

     

     

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