Whenever possible, soft-tissue injuries of the face should receive attention within a few hours after the accident. The early treatment of facial lacerations not only limits the degree of inflammatory reaction but also reduces the amount of subsequent scarring and distortion of the affected part. Hydrogen peroxide is a most effective agent for the removal of debris and coagulated blood from lacerated wounds, leaving clean tissues for suturing.
The ultimate formation of scar tissue always is diminished by sharp excision of rough, irregular, ragged, or macerated margins of wounds. Furthermore, lacerations which have been cut on the oblique require excision of the edges of skin in order that they will be perpendicular to the external dermal surface; this is essential for proper suturing of the wound. Portions of skin in which the blood supply is so poor that sloughing is likely to occur should be removed promptly. Since the formation