Reconstructive surgery refers to a branch of plastic surgery that involves restoration of the damaged portion of a patient’s face or another body part. Reconstructive surgery is usually required if a patient has been involved in a car accident or has sustained serious injuries in a fall or suffered an assault. In such cases, the bone and soft tissue are generally damaged, causing disfiguring of the face or another body part.
Burn patients may also require reconstructive plastic surgery to repair the injured skin. If a patient has undergone surgery to remove tumors or mastectomy for breast cancer, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair the physical disfigurement.
In some cases, the patient may have suffered a nerve injury in the face, resulting in partial facial paralysis. This condition may also be corrected with reconstructive surgery. Some patients wish to have their birth defects removed from their face. Reconstructive plastic surgery may help such patients achieve their goals, as well.
Reconstructive surgery must be performed only by a qualified plastic surgeon with sufficient past experience in handling such cases. Use of the most advanced surgical techniques and facilities must be made, and only then can the patient expect to achieve the desired results. There is a wide range of patients who may need reconstructive surgery. The surgeon must understand the history of the patient and the cause of the deformity in order to perform an appropriate corrective procedure.
Reconstructive surgery is not only aimed at restoring the physical appearance, but also improving the functionality of the affected areas. This is what makes it a critical branch of plastic surgery. By restoring the aesthetics and functionality of the damaged parts, this surgery can give the patient a new lease on life. It brings back the patient’s self-confidence and can help him or her resume a normal life once again.
