Reconstructive plastic surgery
Reconstructive surgery is often performed to treat or prevent medical conditions, such as for the treatment of tumors. Tumor removal may include a surgical biopsy of the tumor, removal of the tumor (including warts), or the removal of a malignant tumor. These procedures focus on treating an unappealing appearance or on preventing the internal spread of the disease.
The removal of skin cancer on a particular area often requires complex reconstruction that includes rebuilding the affected area. Treatment may integrate skin flap or skin grafting procedures as well. Other areas of the body that might need flap or graft reconstruction include the nose, lips, cheeks, and ears. For example, skin cancer of the nose may create a defect so large or deep that complex reconstructive surgery is the only solution. Board certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists tend to have the most expertise at removing skin lesions.
Certain craniofacial deformities, including deformities of the nose, have been known to contribute to sleep apnea and sinus disease. Sleep apnea is categorized by excessive snoring whereby oxygen levels are impeded during sleep. The sleep apnea disorder contributes to heart disease and strokes, among other medical conditions. Sinus diseases are more likely to affect people with narrowed nasal passages that prevent the regular flow of air and mucous through the nose. The consequences of certain medical conditions may require plastic reconstructive procedures such as rhinoplasty, cheek implants or a facelift.
Other reconstructive surgery patients include breast cancer survivors. Many survivors seek breast reconstruction to rebuild their breast after breast cancer surgery. Growing numbers of women at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer are choosing to undergo surgery to remove their breasts (mastectomy) and ovaries to decrease their cancer risk. Prophylactic mastectomies are also followed by breast reconstruction surgery. Women with large breasts may seek breast reduction surgery to relieve back pain.
Repair of the jaw or chin may be necessary to relieve dental conditions such as associated with wisdom teeth removal or TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint). TMJ causes a spasm in the jaw muscle which can lock the jaw, inhibit eating, and cause significant facial pain.
Hand reconstructive surgery is a common procedure sought by patients with illness, trauma or a birth defect that has led to unnecessary pain and/or limited mobility of the fingers, wrist and/or forearm.
Birth defects and deformities that inhibit daily activities fall under the reconstructive category as well. For example, a chin implant or jaw implant may be required if the formation of the jaw and chin affects facial movement or eating. Reconstructive surgery on the upper and lower jaw may be required to create a dental arch alignment. Cleft lips and palates may inhibit eating and speaking skills, but cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair can correct these problems, while improving appearance. Other problems that fall into the defect category include ears that extend in an outward appearance or appear otherwise malformed.
Patients who have naturally lost an excessive amount of weight or who have undergone the gastric bypass procedure may require reconstructive plastic surgery procedures to remove excess skin, loosened muscles, or residual localized areas of body fat. These procedures include panniculectomy, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, blepharoplasty, and neck lift. For example, obese patients who receive the gastric bypass procedure may undergo the panniculectomy procedure to remove an apron of skin that can extend as low as the knees. Deformities to the vaginal area can also be corrected through reconstructive surgery known as labiaplasty. Tightening of the labia after child birth is known as vaginal rejuvenation surgery.
Traumatic injury may also lead to reconstructive surgery. Dog bites and car accidents can cause serious unappealing lacerations, bony injuries, facial fractures of the jaw or cheek, hand injuries, or trauma to the upper and lower extremity. Burn victims may also require reconstructive surgery.
Traumatic injuries may be treated by select emergency-room staff who have the most day-to-day experience in emergency injury care. However, if you, your family members, or the emergency-room staff feel uncomfortable with the complexity of injuries, then ER staff members will request a plastic surgeon and other specialists to develop a treatment plan.
Following injury, one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons is the bony repair of the facial skeleton, hand, and upper and lower extremities. Injuries may also require repair of facial fractures to the jaw or cheek. Plastic surgeons often need to repair soft-tissue damage and tendon and nerve injury at the same time as other reconstructive procedures. Depending upon the nature and extent of the personal injury, plastic surgical skill may be required following the initial repair to reduce the appearance of scars or otherwise continue improving the appearance after an injury.
