During plastic surgery, where should incisions be placed for optimal healing?

Incisions in plastic surgery are ideally placed in alignment with the natural skin folds and tension lines to promote optimal healing and aesthetics. When placing the incisions perpendicular to the long axis of the underlying muscle, the goal is to reduce tension on the wound, minimize scarring, and allow for better healing. This approach can also facilitate optimal tissue perfusion, which is critical in the healing process.

By placing incisions in this manner, surgeons can take advantage of the skin's elasticity and natural lines of tension, ultimately leading to a more favorable cosmetic outcome. This practice can also significantly minimize the risk of complications such as wound dehiscence, which can occur if the incision is under tension.

While there may be benefits to the other strategies regarding specific surgical contexts, such as aligning incisions with muscle fibers or skin folds, the decision to place them perpendicular to the muscle’s long axis is a well-accepted principle in plastic surgery, especially for ensuring good healing and aesthetic results.