Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Overview
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Overview
What is reconstructive plastic surgery?
Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct facial and body abnormalities caused by birth defects, trauma, disease, or aging.
Usually, the goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to improve body function. However, reconstructive plastic surgery may also be performed to create a more normal appearance and improve self-esteem (this may also be called cosmetic surgery). Abnormal structures of the body may result from the following:
Trauma
Infection
Developmental abnormalities
Congenital (present at birth) anomalies
Disease
Tumors
Who are candidates for reconstructive plastic surgery?
Generally, two types of patients have reconstructive plastic surgery, including the following:
Persons with congenital anomalies (including cleft lip, craniofacial anomalies, or hand deformities)
Persons with developmental deformities (including those due to an accident, infection, disease, or aging)
Possible complications associated with reconstructive plastic surgery
Any type of surgery carries some risk. Patients differ in their anatomy and their ability to heal. Some complications associated with reconstructive plastic surgery may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Infection
Excessive bleeding
Bruising
Difficulty in wound healing
Anesthesia problems
Surgery problems
Risk of complications may increase if a patient:
Smokes.
Has connective-tissue damage.
Has skin damage from radiation therapy.
Has decreased circulation at the surgery site.
Has HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
Has an impaired immune system.
Has poor nutritional habits.
How to prepare for reconstructive plastic surgery
The specific type of surgery will be determined by your physician based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Severity of the deformity
Your tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Location of the deformity
Your opinion or preference
Reconstructive plastic surgery may require multiple procedures done in several stages.
There are a number of areas in plastic surgery that may be either or both reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on a patient's situation. For example, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be a procedure performed for cosmetic improvement, as well as to correct eyelids that are drooping severely and obscuring vision.
