Reconstructive surgery describes surgical procedures done to correct abnormal body parts. Reconstructive surgery can be performed to correct congenital defects, or it can be performed to correct structures that were disfigured by disease or injury.
On Facial Reconstructive Surgery
As with other types of reconstructive surgery, facial reconstruction is performed to correct congenital or acquired deformities. It is often done to improve the function of the affected part as well as to give the patient a more normal appearance.
Trauma to the face that requires surgical repair might be caused by vehicular accidents, sports injuries, physical assaults, animal bites, burns, etc. Sports injuries are the most common causes of facial injury in children. Fractures caused by trauma most commonly involve the jaw bone, eye socket, cheekbone, nose or forehead. Lacerations on the face can cause scarring and/or damage to the tear ducts or nerves. Our surgeon may also have to camouflage scars and repair or replace certain facial parts.
How Common Are These Procedures?
In 2009, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons compiled a list of the 10 Most Common Types of Plastic Surgery. Breast augmentation was the most common procedure, but scar revision, burn treatments, reattachment surgery and operations on craniofacial injuries also made the top ten.
What Happens During Facial Reconstruction?
There is a wide variety of surgical procedures that can be used to reconstruct a person’s face, and the type used will ultimately depend on the deformity, amongst many other factors, such as the condition of the patient’s skin, the patient’s health, etc. Some common facial reconstruction techniques include skin flaps and skin grafting, reattachment procedures and cartilage/bone replacement.
Reconstructive surgical procedures of the face can be long and complex; they can often take several hours to perform. Our surgical team will want to repair as much as they can in one procedure. The main goal is to give the patient a normal appearance once again, leaving the trauma-related deformity in the past.
Contact Us Today to Get Started
Whether you have facial burns, deformities caused by cancer or Mohs surgery or any other birth defect, Dr. Lipschitz at Athena Plastic Surgery may be able to help with facial reconstruction surgery. Schedule a consultation at our office in Stuart or Palm Beach Gardens so that he can assess you and help you determine if reconstructive surgery is the best option. He proudly serves the West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. Contact his office today to schedule a consultation.