What is Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery?

Originally derived from the Greek “plastikos” meaning to mold and reshape, plastic surgery is a specialty which adapts surgical principles and thought processes to the unique needs of each individual patient.

Not concerned with a given organ system, region of the body, or age group, it is best described as a specialty devoted to the solution of difficult wound healing and surgical problems, having as its ultimate goal the restoration or creation of the best function, form and structure of the body with a superior aesthetic appearance ultimately enhancing a patients quality of life.

Plastic surgeons emphasize the importance of treating the patient as a whole.

Plastic surgery not only restores body function, but helps to renew or improve a patient’s body image and sense of self-esteem. 

The main subspecialties of plastic surgery are:

• Congenital – treatments for conditions like cleft lip and palate, facial and ear deformities and craniofacial defects, hypospadias or other genito-urinary anomalies, upper limb anomalies and congenital skin conditions.

• Breast surgery – reconstruction following cancer, congenital anomalies, cosmetic breast surgery

• Skin – removal of malignant tumours and benign lesions of skin; management of skin cancer metastases in lymph glands and elsewhere

• Trauma – reconstructive repair of facial trauma; lower limb trauma including open fractures and burn injury.

• Hand and upper limb surgery – specialist treatment for a particularly complicated body area where function is vital for quality of life. Dealing with congenital hand abnormalities; repair of injuries to the hand and upper limb and treatment of degenerative hand disease.

• Craniofacial - a discipline developed to reposition and reshape the bones of the face and skull through inconspicuous incisions. Severe deformities of the cranium and face, which previously were uncorrectable or corrected with great difficulty, can now be better reconstructed in employing these new techniques. Such deformities may result from a tumor resection, congenital defect, previous surgery, or previous injury.

• Aesthetic surgery – often called “cosmetic surgery” the changing of appearance by choice and not for the treatment of disease. Includes facelifts, breast enlargements and enhancement, nasal surgery, body sculpting, and other similar operations to enhance one’s appearance

Other common conditions that can require plastic surgery include reconstruction of large defects; pressure sores and other chronic wounds; venous and other leg ulcers; and the results of devastating infections.

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The results of the plastic surgeon’s expertise and ability are highly visible, leading to a high degree of professional and personal satisfaction. Plastic surgery is an innovative specialty . Advances such as transplantation, microvascular surgery, fat grafting, and various medical devices have been spearheaded and advanced by plastic surgeons. 

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Qualities of a Plastic Surgeon

The discipline requires meticulous attention to detail, sound judgment and technical expertise in performing the intricate and complex procedures associated with plastic surgery. In addition, plastic surgeons must possess a flexible approach that will enable them to work on a daily basis with a tremendous variety of surgical problems. Most importantly, the plastic surgeon must have creativity, curiosity, insight, and an understanding of human psychology.

Plastic surgery is an old specialty with references that date back thousands of years. It has survived and flourished because it is a changing specialty built by imaginative, creative and innovative surgeons with a broad background and education. The limit of the specialty is bound only by the imagination and expertise of those in its practice. The opportunities for the future are open to those who wish to be challenged.