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What Is Apical Scarring?

If you've recently had surgery or been injured, you may see a mark on your skin after the wound has healed. This mark is called an apical scar and is common after a wound has repaired itself. Apical scars can be found after the removal of a tooth, a cut on the skin or even in damaged organs like the heart and lungs. While apical scarring is quite common, it is important to know the risks involved with certain types.

  1. Function

    • Apical scars are one way that the human body attempts to heal. The function of apical scarring is to replace damaged tissue in and on the body. Apical scarring can replace diseased areas of the internal organs and damaged skin. Scars allow the body to heal in order to continue the basic function of the organ without interruption.

    Identification

    • Depending on the size of the wound, apical scaring can be easy or difficult to identify. They are usually identified by dense, hardened tissue. It is mostly connective fibrous tissue that forms in place of the damaged area. If you've recently had an injury, you can identify apical scarring by the lighter, thicker tissue that replaces it. Since it does not have as much blood flow, apical scars may prevent muscle movement and cause poor circulation.

    Types

    • Apical scars can be found anywhere on the body where tissue is damaged. Constricting apical scars are those that cause the tightening of an internal organ or area of blood flow. Hypertrophic apical scars are infected.

    Risks

    • Though apical scars are a common healing agent of the body, they can occasionally carry risks. Large scars on muscle tissue may prevent movement and proper elasticity. For example, if you have scar tissue from a shoulder surgery, you may have problems with rotation. Apical scarring on organs like the heart or lungs may cause a constriction, causing you to lose some vital function of that organ. Some scars may become malignant, cause pain and require removal through surgery.

    Solutions

    • Internal apical scarring is removed through surgical procedures. Surgeons have specific procedures for removal of scars on the heart, lungs and other internal organs. Large apical scarring on the skin may be removed and covered up through plastic surgery. Smaller scars on the skin can sometimes be covered up or removed through non-invasive methods like laser removal, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

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