For instance, a horizontal scar on the forehead will probably fit right in with natural lines and wrinkles, while a vertical scar in the same area is likely to be more obvious years later. Some have no certification at all. To insure that your child will receive the best quality care in the emergency room, be sure the emergency physician is well trained and competent to make appropriate medical decisions. Keep in mind that some ER's, especially those in pediatric hospitals, are better equipped to handle lacerations in children, particularly when sedation is necessary. Your best bet is to identify the ER your pediatrician or family physician recommends before the need arises.
Some lacerations are especially complicated and require a surgical specialist.
The decision to involve a plastic surgeon is not always easy. There are two primary reasons an emergency physician would request a plastic surgeon. First, a wound can be so deep, irregular and dirty that it requires special equipment only available in an operating room. Second, a deep wound can be located in a cosmetically important part of a child's body such as the ears, nose, lips or eyelids. Fortunately, wounds of this severity represent only a small fraction of lacerations in children.