Surgical Incisions: Locations, Sizes, Appearance, Healing, and Risks

Common Incision Sites

• Abdomen: Vertical (midline) or horizontal (Pfannenstiel) for hysterectomy, appendectomy, bowel resection.
• Chest: Median sternotomy (heart), thoracotomy (lung), or inframammary (mastectomy).
• Back: Midline or paramedian for spinal fusion, laminectomy.
• Neck: Transverse (thyroidectomy) or longitudinal (carotid endarterectomy).
• Head: Scalp incisions (craniotomy) often hidden in hairline.

Size and Appearance

Length varies from <1 inch (laparoscopic ports) to >12 inches (open procedures). Closure methods: sutures, staples, adhesive, or left open (drainage). Dressings protect the site.

Healing Timeline

Primary healing: 2–3 weeks for skin; deeper layers remodel over months. Scars mature over 12–18 months.

Risks

• Infection, bleeding, seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, hypertrophic scar/keloid.

Surgeons discuss site-specific risks preoperatively.