Finding the right doctor to repair a skin laceration may at times be difficult if you have an emergency and you need immediate repair of a skin burn or laceration. Our Beverly Hills plastic surgeon provides emergency and non-elective options for your cut, burn, or laceration in Los Angeles. Kare Plastic Surgery is a comprehensive surgery center on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica and our surgical director is a credentialed plastic surgeon with hospital privileges at Providence St. John Emergency Room and Providence St. John Inpatient/Outpatient Hospital.
A laceration usually describes a cut or injury to the skin, often sustained from skin trauma or a fall. In order to minimize longterm scarring and improve the chance of healing, it is important to find a physician who can help manage the problem and provide sutures/stitches if needed. We offer immediate and same-day options for suture repair of a laceration in Los Angeles.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is an expert in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and can provide you with emergency and after-hour expertise in laceration repairs. Using a combination of wound healing techniques, tissue glue, or layered sutures, immediate attention can be provided for adults and children.
EMERGENCY EVALUATION OF LACERATIONS
Our expert clinicians are familiar with emergency laceration repair and can provide you with after-hour options for treatment. Whether your cut or laceration requires wound care, emergency stitches, or dermabond glue; we are available to assess and manage your problem. Early treatment of lacerations minimizes the risk of infection, scarring, or poor outcome.
Unlike concierge physicians, our laceration repair team are experts in the management of complex wounds and lacerations. Our office is a fully-comprehensive plastic surgery office and can provide expertise in diagnosis, management, and treatment of wounds.
TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY LACERATIONS
Once the wound is evaluated, a decision will be made as to the proper management technique for repair. Most wounds will be managed with an anesthetic injection or topical treatment followed by definitive repair of the laceration. Deeper lacerations may require multiple layered sutures whereas less complex injuries may benefit from glue alone.
Suture techniques vary by area; often requiring smaller caliber sutures for cosmetically-sensitive areas of the face. Some patients may require only wound care or dermabond glue to repair a laceration of the skin. It is imperative that a correct diagnosis of wound depth and severity is made so that the surgical plan optimizes healing and minimizes longterm scarring.
INFECTION RISK FOR EMERGENCY LACERATIONS
Lacerations inflicted from animal or human bites, contaminated surfaces, or potential sites of infection should be managed early. Signs of infection include redness, inflammation and erythema, purulent drainage, fever, or warmth of the skin. Delayed wound care increases the risk of infection and delayed healing.
FOLLOW UP AND SUTURE REMOVAL AFTER STITCHES
Depending on the severity of your wound and the treatment techniques used to repair the laceration, most sutures can be removed within one week of treatment. Cosmetically-important areas of the face may require more advanced aftercare including laser therapy to minimize scars.
Our plastic surgery office is comprehensive and can provide you with a manageable aftercare plan for your laceration or skin injury. If you are concerned about your wound, please call our office to discuss options for treatment.
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR LACERATION REPAIR
Depending on your insurance plan, coverage may be obtained based on your insurance provider and policy. After hours consultations and treatment may not be covered completely by your plan and individual policies differ.