Abdominal Scar Revision Surgery

Background: Abdominal scar revision surgery is a common procedure to improve the cosmetic and functional aspects of scars resulting from any surgical procedure or trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate demographic data, surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications of abdominal scar revision surgeries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 77 patients who underwent abdominal scar revision surgery in different hospitals in Iraq from June 2023 to June 2024. Data were collected on etiologies of abdominal scars, surgical procedures (excision {39%}, Z-Plasty {32%}, and grafting {92%}), post-operative pain, complications, and quality of life outcomes using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: Demographic profile of the patients revealed that 39% belonged to the age group of 36-45 years, with an excess female dominance (58%) compared to males (42%). Surgical scars (45%) and traumatic scars (32%) were the most frequent indications for surgery. Excision was the most common operation performed (39%). Hospital stay was inconsistent, with 52% discharged between 1 and 2 days. Postoperative pain was most frequently on day 1 (52%). Global satisfaction rates showed that 65% of the patients had a total success. Pain or discomfort-related complications (32%) and hypertrophic scarring (23%) were noted. Quality of life measures indicated high scores in physical and mental health domains. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that abdominal scar revision surgery can be followed by high patient satisfaction and quality of life improvement despite major complications. Increased emphasis on patient teaching regarding anticipated risks and realistic outcomes may result in greater overall satisfaction with the procedure.