Laser reduces surgery scars

The amount of scarring can depend on where incisions are made

Scientists have developed a laser technique to help surgeons minimise scar tissue when carrying out operations.

The technique highlights areas where incisions will cause the least scarring.

Collagen protein fibres help to give the skin its strength and elastic quality.

I can certainly see the value of it anywhere reducing scarring is important

Dr Tim Mills, University College, London

They are arranged in patterns known as Langer's lines under the surface of the skin.

Cuts made along these lines sever fewer fibres and are therefore less likely to leave unsightly scars.

However, Dr Michael Patterson, of McMaster University in Ontario, told New Scientist magazine that the problem was that each individual has a different pattern of Langer's lines.

He said: "If they don't know exactly where it goes on an individual, we think surgeons could end up cutting against the grain."

Scattering light

The new technique is based on work by German scientist Matthias Essenpreis, who discovered that skin does not scatter light equally in all directions.

Working with Dr Patterson, he found that light scattered in the direction in which most fibres are aligned travels further before leaving the skin.

This is because the light is less likely to be deflected.

The group has now made a sensor, consisting of a fibre-optic probe linked to a camera, to assist plastic surgeons.

The probe was tested by Dr Tim Mills, of University College, London, an expert in medical physics.

He said: "I can certainly see the value of it anywhere.

"Reducing scarring is important, particularly in the area of the face."

Mr Tim Milward, a consultant plastic surgeon at Leicester Royal Hospital, said the research could be useful for some surgeons.

But he added: "Most plastic surgeons have a lot of experience of the areas where scarring is bad, and are quite good at pinching the skin to see how it naturally folds to identify Langer's lines."

The research is published in the journal Physics in Medicine and Biology.