Types of Surgical Incisions

Incisions
• Considerations:
– Accessibility
– Extensibility
– Location
– Aesthetics
Langer’s line

Langer’s line correspond to the natural

orientation of collagen fibers in the
dermis, and are generally parallel to the
orientation of the underlying muscle
fibers.

Incisions made parallel to Langer’s lines

may heal better and produce less scarring
than those that cut across
Facial Subunits
Incisions may be camouflaged
primarily by placing them at the
junction of aesthetic subunits of
the face
Neck Dissection
 Y Incision Schobinger’s incision Conley’s

Mc Fee Incision Modified Schorbinger

Double Y
Thorax
MEDIAN STERNOTOMY
Indications:
• Exposure of anterior and middle
mediastinum lower cervical
procedures
• Tracheal resection and
reconstruction
• Excision of thyroid masses &
parathyroid adenomas
• Excision of cervical oesophageal
tumors
• Exposure of heart & great vessels
in cardiopulmonary bypass
ANTEROLATERAL THORACOTOMY
Indications:
• Used for pulmonary resection
• Cardiac procedures
• Mediastinal masses
POSTEROLATERAL
Indications:
• Pulmonary resections
(pneumectomy or lobectomy)
• Chest wall resection
• Oesophageal suegery
THORACOSTERNOTOMY
(CLAMSHELL)
Indications:
• Penetrating thoracic
injury where the wound
underlying the anterior
aspect
• Shocked patient with
suspected cardiac injury
 Breast Incision

1: superolateral radial incision

2: inferolateral radial incision
3: superior circumareolar incision
4: periareolar incision
5: inframammary fold incisions
6: other incision, design to incorporate prior breast surgery scar
Mastectomy incision
Abdomen
Fasciotomy

Forearm
Leg
Escharotomy