The Disappearing Mastoidectomy scar?

[Bob Prudhomme]

The procedure for mastoidectomy takes place under general anesthesia administered by our MD Anesthesiologist and takes approximately two to three hours. This is done either by itself or in conjunction with other procedures including tympanoplasty and ossicular chain reconstruction. An incision is made just behind the ear. This incision is typically very well masked within an existing skin crease, and the resulting scar usually heals to the point of being imperceptible to the naked eye.
http://www.nwface.com/seattle-medical/ot...oidectomy/

Taking into account that the operation was in the 1940s, it may not have been as well masked they are today, but still surely not all that prominent, either.

Armstrong uses the USMC enlistment record which states that Oswald had a 3 inch scar from this operation.

What he neglects to tell readers is that upon discharge, the scar was still visible, but had faded to one inch.
http://www.maryferrell.org/mffweb/archiv...eId=141350

For the record, the mastoid scar was also noted in YH and Soviet hospital records. According to H & L theory (and unless I am mistaken?) this should not be so.

Given that scars do fade over time, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that it was no longer visible to the naked eye by the time of the autopsy.

Oswald's body upon exhumation was in advanced decay. It would be reasonable to suggest that the scar would stand out more under those conditions with the epidermis no longer there. This is because scars are formed when the epidermis is breached through surgery or injury.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=n40E...is&f=false

With the epidermis gone, the scar is once again visible.

In short, it did not disappear and then reappear - it just faded over time, to the point it was no longer visible to the naked eye. It became visible again due only to the natural processes of decay of the epidermis.

No magic required. No body swap required. No psychobabble required. Science once again trumps z grade movie scenarios.

I take it this being conceded and we can expect some revisions to the H & L site?

Ever get the feeling you are being ignored? ::bowtie::