Suggest Treatment For Hard Lump On Lip Wound

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 Answered on

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My 20-month-old daughter fell and bit her lip around 6 months ago - the cut was near, but did not cross, the vermillion border, and so the ER doc said it would not require stitches. The cut has long since healed, but she still has a hard lump at the wound site that is a little whiter than the surrounding red lip.

Is it worth bringing her in to a pediatric plastics doctor to take a look? Is this something that they'd even be willing to correct at her age, or should I wait until she's older? I don't want to put her through any unnecessary procedures at her age, but I don't want her to grow up and be insecure about her lip, either...

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Scar revision not recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX

As the wound would have healed with secondary intention as it was not surgically approximated , it would have resulted in slight hypertrophic scar. The healing capacity and remodeling of wound is excellent in a young child. The wound continues to change even months after injury and final result may vary. 20 months is too young age to consider for any scar revision. For your reassurance you can definitely take opinion of Plastic Surgeon.
In my clinical practice, I have never subjected children to scar revision who have been referred to me for such wounds managed outside by others.

In the meantime do provide me with the clinical photograph of the wound for my expert opinion.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak XXXXXXX
MBBS, MS, MCh
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar