Laceration Repair

What is a laceration?

A laceration is a cut in the skin that may extend into the muscle, soft tissue, or bone, caused by a sharp object. This type of cut is often irregular or jagged and contaminated with bacteria or dirt from the object that created the laceration. 

What is laceration repair?

Laceration repair is the cleaning, preparation, and closing of this type of cut. The team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island includes highly trained plastic surgeons who provide laceration repair for individuals ages four and older. 

Because of their training and experience, the plastic surgeons know how to properly repair a laceration, potentially minimizing scarring.

When do I need laceration repair?

Not all lacerations need medical attention. You may benefit from laceration repair at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island if you have a cut that:

• Exposes soft tissue or bone
• Is dirty, even after cleaning 
• Continues bleeding after applying pressure
• Has jagged or irregular edges
• Is deep
• Is located in an area of high stress (hand, foot, joint, or chest)

You may also benefit from laceration repair if you have concerns about scarring. 

What happens during laceration repair?

The specifics of your laceration repair at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island depend on the location, size, and depth of your wound. After cleaning and preparing your wound, the team may use various techniques to close the cut, such as:

Skin glue

With skin glue, the team applies the special glue over your laceration and then holds the wound for a minute to close the edges. 

Skin closure strips

Skin closure strips hold the edges of the laceration together. Your surgeon first aligns the wound and then applies the strips across the laceration, keeping the ends closed.

Stitches

For deep wounds with jagged edges, the team may use stitches to repair the cut. 

Staples

The team may use staples to close lacerations on the scalp, neck, arms, or buttocks. Your surgeon aligns the edges of the wound and places staples across the cut to close it.

The team may recommend a tetanus shot following a laceration to reduce risk of infection. You may also need antibiotics.

Healing after laceration repair varies, depending on the location and depth of your wound. 

For expert laceration repair, call Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island or schedule an appointment online today.

Emergency Stitches in New York

Dr. Sotirios Papafragkou is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in minimal scar techniques. He can meet you in your location, an emergency room close to you or at our office in Roslyn Heights.

The Stitch Doctor of New York

Board Certified Dr. Papafragkou is avaliable in case of a laceration or a cut when stitches are needed. He specializes in minimizing scars. He can meet you in your location, an emegency room close to you or at our office in Roslyn Heights.

Emergency lacerations and cuts

Dr. Sotirios Papafragkou is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in minimal scar techniques. He can meet you in your location, an emergency room close to you or our office in Roslyn Heights.

Emergency stitches Long Island

Dr. Sotirios Papafragkou is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in minimal scar techniques. He can meet you in your location, an emergency room close to you or our office in Roslyn Heights.