A common misconception is that plastic surgeries are only for cosmetic purposes. However, reconstructive surgery is a type of plastic surgery that addresses specific health conditions by repairing the affected part of the body. The following are some of the examples of plastic surgeries done for treating specific health conditions:
Cleft lip and cleft palate
This condition includes a congenital deformation on the face and is considered quite common. This condition can manifest in a variety of ways, from a minor deficiency on the lip to complete clefts all through the lip, gum, and the palate. Multiple procedures are required in order to treat these deformities, as it requires various specialties like orthodontics, speech pathology, maxillofacial surgery, and plastic surgery.
Microtia
A condition that leads to the lack of development of the ear called microtia, it can affect the sense of hearing. Plastic surgeries for treating this specific health condition include reconstruction. The ear is reconstructed pretty much from the patient’s own tissue, and it is followed by a couple of procedures by the otolaryngologist and the plastic surgeon.
Surgeries for the feet and hands
Plastic surgeries are also performed on those affected by a tumor (both cancerous and non-cancerous), extra toes or fingers, or webbed feet or hands. The recent technology has also paved the way for surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wound care
Quite popular among those who have had severe burns or cut, skin grafts are a great way to get back to near normal state. Wound care is also quite popular among diabetic patients who have had an ulcer (wound) on their feet, which is quite common among type 2 diabetics. Amputations, lacerations, fractures, and nerve injuries are also addressed through replantation and microsurgery.
Facial surgeries
Plastic surgeries are also used for treating specific health conditions like facial defects. These include breathing problems that lead to snoring or chronic infections like sinuses, which can be addressed through reconstructive plastic surgery.
Microsurgery
Also known as flap procedures, this is done on patients to replace parts of the body affected by injury or disease (mostly cancer). This is a specialized surgical field where microscopes and precision instruments are used to perform intricate procedures. The area to be operated upon is magnified up to 50 times, and surgeons can repair blood vessels and nerves that are smaller than 1 mm in diameter.
In addition, there is a plethora of reconstructive plastic surgeries:
- Nose reshape in order to facilitate breathing
- Reconstructing the breasts after breast cancer treatment
- Reducing large breasts that could cause back or neck pain
- Treating trigger finger or thumb
- Treating thumb arthritis
- Flexor and extensor tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Replanting amputations
- Treating complex wounds
- Treatment after burn injuries
