How Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Differ
What do you think of when you hear the words “cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery”?
Chances are, you think that cosmetic is for those who want to get rid of wrinkles or enhance a body part, while reconstructive is more needful.
That’s not entirely incorrect. However, there are plenty of occasions where elective cosmetic surgery can be as life changing as reconstructive.
We’ll break them down here.
Cosmetic Surgery
Yes. As the name implies, the aim of cosmetic surgery is to enhance one’s appearance by reshaping different parts of the anatomy to make them more visually appealing.
Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed on all areas of the body, head, and neck. It treats areas that already function properly. Even so, there are many cosmetic surgeries that also improve function. For example, a rhinoplasty procedure (nose job) can help to improve breathing while also enhancing the appearance of the nose.
A vast array of procedures fall under the cosmetic surgery umbrella. Breast augmentation, reduction, and lift all fall into this category. So do procedures that aim to contour or rejuvenate the face, including rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid lift, neck lift, and brow lift. A tummy tuck, liposuction, and gynecomastia repair, as well as skin rejuvenation procedures such as laser resurfacing, botox, and filler treatments are all considered cosmetic procedures.
Reconstructive Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery differ in that the latter is considered medically necessary.
The objective of reconstructive surgery is to both improve appearance and restore function of the targeted area(s). It aims to correct deformities caused by trauma, disease, or birth defects. Two of the most common types of procedures are breast reconstruction following a lumpectomy or mastectomy, as well as reconstructive surgery after burn injuries.
Other examples include cleft lip and palate repair, extremity defect repair, lower extremity reconstruction, scar revision, and hand surgery.
Is There An Overlap?
Regardless of whether it’s cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, the underlying surgical principles are the same. And ultimately, the goal is to maximize the cosmetic result as much as possible. So there’s really quite a significant overlap between these two surgeries.
The basis of surgical training for plastic surgeons is of the reconstructive variety – though many go on to complete additional training to perform cosmetic surgery. The two are so closely interconnected that in 1999, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The aim was to communicate the message that there’s virtually no difference between plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
The Board-Certified Difference
A plastic surgeon with the “board-certified” designation indicates an advanced level of training and experience.
Board-certified surgeons are required to complete one of two routes of training. They either partake in an integrated residency training that combines three years of general surgery and three years of plastic surgery or
an independent, five-year residency program in general surgery which is then followed by the three-year plastic surgery residency program.
So it’s in a patient’s best interest to insist on a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Changes Lives
Both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures have the ability to improve one’s health and well-being. So if you feel that you could benefit from either of these, contact us today.
No matter which one might be right for you, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the anticipated result with your surgeon who will ensure that appropriate expectations are met.
Pioneers in Plastic Surgery – Arthur Rainsford Mowlem (1902–1986)
When you think of plastic surgery, you may consider it a relatively new field. It’s actually been around longer than you may think.
Although plastic surgery has existed in some form for millennia, casualties from World War I and II in particular created a new demand for reconstructive surgery.
Born in New Zealand in 1902, Arthur Rainsford Mowlem, was the youngest of four well-known British plastic surgeons who practiced in between the world wars.
The Journey to Medicine
Mowlem started out studying law, but later changed to medicine. In 1924, he undertook house officer appointments in Auckland Hospital before going into general practice. Once he decided to take the surgical route, he worked his passage to England around Cape Horn as a ship’s surgeon.
He studied at the Middlesex Hospital for the primary Fellowship, completed his house surgeon’s appointment in Greenwich, then passed the final Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in 1929. Throughout the war years, he would treat many victims of air raids. He also participated in early trials of penicillin.
Interestingly, when he served as a resident surgical officer at Queen Mary’s Stratford, he met with the then Prince of Wales and, being a heavy smoker, showed him where to smoke cigarettes.
Shifting Gears
Mowlem was planning to return to New Zealand to take an orthopedic post in Auckland, but destiny took him to Hammersmith Hospital instead. It was there that he met Sir Harold Gillies who had been given four beds for plastic surgery. Mowlem was fascinated by the potential of this burgeoning field. And Gillies noticed.
Along with P.T. Kilner and A.H. McIndoe, Gillies was part of a group of pioneering surgeons. Mowlem moved with Gillies to a larger unit at St. James Hospital. With the addition of Mowlem, the quartet would become known as the “Big Four.”
The two first full-blown medical publications committed specifically to plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery were the Revue de Chirurgie Plastique and the Revue de Chirurgie Structive. The publication existed from 1931- 1938 and the four surgeons were often cited.
By 1940, Mowlem served as a professor who lectured on the use of iliac chips from bone grafting in patients with mandibular defects. He was considered an outstanding teacher who would go on to train juniors in plastic surgery techniques.
1950s and Beyond
After the war, he was twice President of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons and went on to serve as President of the Second International Congress of Plastic Surgeons. He was given an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Trinity College, Hartford, USA, and an honorary Fellowship of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
His primary interest in reconstructive surgery to repair unsightly defects (resulting particularly from the treatment of malignant disease) continued until his retirement in 1962. Despite his significant contributions, he would never receive British honors.
What Can Plastic Surgery Do For You?
The legacy of Rainsford Mowlem lives on in the field of plastic surgery. His contributions made a major difference in how procedures are performed today.
Of course, plastic surgery has come a long way since then. So if you’re considering any sort of plastic surgery, contact us today to set up your free consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
How Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
When patients consider plastic surgery, it can be for any number of reasons – from physical to mental and emotional. They often overlap.
After all, some patients who want to improve physical features that cause embarrassment find increased self-confidence and enhanced body image post-op. So yes, plastic surgery improves quality of life.
And with surgeons worldwide using the latest technology, many of these transformations can happen in a matter of hours.
Physical Improvements
It’s fair to say that the majority of people seeking plastic surgery are looking for physical improvements. Perhaps they want to emphasize a certain part of their body – as they may with a Brazilian butt lift. For others, they want to draw the focus away from a body part such as a large nose or drooping eyebrows.
Yet, there’s another group of patients that may be looking to address an acute or chronic medical condition. Rhinoplasty or fixing a deviated septum, for instance, can greatly improve breathing for many patients. And patients who have survived breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy can benefit from reconstructive surgery.
In addition, other procedures can even address alignment issues in the body. In the cases of a tummy tuck or breast reduction, for example, patients report decreased back pain as a result of the front of the body no longer being pulled forward or the core muscles being out of balance.
Emotional/Psychological Benefits
In the vast majority of the above “physical” cases, the natural by-product of looking or feeling better is going to be higher self-esteem and a general sense of well-being that may have been missing previously.
The emotional outcomes will certainly vary from person to person. And much of this is based on their expectations. So a handful of patients may come in to have scarring or blemishes they want addressed. These procedures are usually straightforward and patients report a high rate of satisfaction.
For more complicated procedures, however, it’s crucial that patients understand what they can realistically expect. This is why each patient must spend time consulting with his or her board-certified surgeon.
Communication Is Key
Obviously, patients are made aware of the potential risks of their procedure. But if a patient is banking on plastic surgery to completely change his or her life for the better, their end result may end up being one of frustration, embarrassment, shame, or even anger.
That’s why there must be clear and concise preoperative communication between the patient and surgeon so that realistic outcome goals are established.
Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
It’s pretty clear that, if done correctly and working from realistic expectations, plastic surgery improves quality of life. It can allow patients to feel empowered and confident.
What’s more, it may even allow patients to reclaim their body that was taken from them due to injury, illness, or pregnancy.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll take the necessary time to discuss your personal goals and expectations to ensure the best experience possible.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser
If you’ve never heard of Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser, you’re not alone.
There’s the off-chance that you know him as the man who coined the term “stent” for the dental impression compound created by English dentist Charles Stent for facial reconstruction. It would later be used to expand constricted tubes of body tissue.
In the plastic surgery world though, he’s better known as a Dutch plastic surgeon who pioneered innovative methods of reconstructive surgery during World War I.
Early Life
Born in 1877 in Leiden, Netherlands, Esser suffered an attack of acute rheumatism in his youth. When he was thirteen, he lost his father and his grandfather followed shortly after. His mother, overcome with grief, became a recluse and couldn’t care for her children any longer. He and his siblings were placed with foster families.
Even at his young age, Esser was able to successfully sell the family home and buy new property. With such business acumen, it seemed for a while that Esser was heading into the business world. He was also a distinguished chess player and quickly defeated all the best players in Leiden.
Entry Into Medicine
Esser was such an excellent student that he gained entrance at Leiden – the oldest university in Holland – to study medicine. He demonstrated a profound interest in anatomy and assembled a collection of malformed skulls.
He continued to play in chess tournaments and wrote a column for the daily paper. His income from these ventures enabled him to finish his medical studies and graduate in 1903. He was also crowned Dutch National Chess Champion in the same year.
He practiced throughout the Netherlands and Europe. When the First World War struck, he became known for the treatment of frostbite, the improvement of various arterial lobes and pre-prosthetic–kineplastic amputation–stump formation, and cheek rotation flaps to address facial defects. He also performed breast reconstruction, facelifts, and hand and foot operations that included transplantation of toes.
Position of Prestige
His revolutionary work drew the attention of three university professors in Berlin who offered him a position in 1917 as head physician for plastic surgery. He eventually settled there.
A year later in 1918, he was awarded a medical license by the Ministry of Science, Art, and National Education. August Karl Gustav Bier, a famous general surgeon, emphatically recommended him.
In terms of his contribution to the proliferation and establishment of plastic surgery, his years in Berlin (1917-1925) were his most productive. He developed innovative surgical techniques, operated in 23 different hospitals, published groundbreaking articles, had connections with colleagues at specialist society meetings, and had a bevy of skilled assistants.
Esser would go on to operate on request as a consultant for Berlin’s most well-known surgeons. His main focus was plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face.
Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser Paved the Way
Without pioneers like Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser, plastic surgery as it exists today would never have come to fruition.
Fortunately, plastic surgery has come a long way since the early 20th century. So if you’re considering a procedure today, contact us.
You’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ll be under the best and most advanced medical care today.
Pioneers of Plastic Surgery – Dr. Harold Gillies
The long-term disabilities from World War I were overwhelming. Many men came off the battlefield quite disfigured.
Not only were they in pain, but the disfigurement impacted their prospects for work. And the government offered little financial or social support.
Fortunately, pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies were changing the face (literally) of surgery and providing needed relief for many of these men.
The Early Days
Treating facial injuries on the frontline was difficult, to say the least. Gaps and holes in the face were stitched together leaving jagged scars. And because there was so much missing flesh, the scars would tighten as they healed and pull the face into permanent grotesque expressions.
Some men were blinded or had a hole where their nose was. Others were unable to eat or drink because of severe deformities in the jaw. They had to be fed sitting up so they didn’t suffocate when they laid down.
The early days of skin grafting were awkward and unpleasant. A large flap of skin was lifted from somewhere near the wound and swung over the injury site. To maintain the blood flow and increase the chances of the graft being accepted, however, it was not severed from the donor area.
Then came Dr. Harold Gillies.
Dr. Harold Gillies
The history of plastic surgery dates back to 800 BC – though it was highly rudimentary at that point. By the Civil War, experimentation had advanced. Even so, the results were often disappointing and soldiers were left with gaping holes in their faces.
During World War I, Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients. He knew something needed to change. Working alongside other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures.
He recognized that the flaps in the above-mentioned surgical procedure would curl in on themselves when under tension. He proposed sewing the flaps into a tube to increase blood supply and also decrease the risk of infection.
Then once the tubed flap was attached near the injury site, it could be cut away from the donor area. From there, the skin could be opened and spread out to cover a wider area.
The procedure was a success.
Ushering in the Dawn of Modern Plastic Surgery
Dr. Harold Gillies had the courage to commit himself to a burgeoning wing of surgery that many told him he’d never make a living doing. By the time he had settled into Britain’s Queen’s Hospital, he and his team had advanced the field of reconstructive surgery to help thousands of veterans live a more normal life.
His work also laid the foundation for modern plastic surgery that would grow in strength and stature by World War II to provide the veterans of that war with even more life-changing procedures. And luckily so.
How Can Modern Plastic Surgery Help You?
Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies had a huge part in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.
So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.
Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeons. Contact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.
Is There Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies?
If you’re not familiar with the term congenital anomalies, you may know them better as birth defects. Whatever the case, they are defined as structural or functional anomalies that occur in utero.
Some of these defects can be very serious and difficult, if not impossible, to resolve.
Fortunately, there is plastic surgery for congenital anomalies that are not as serious. Treatment involves many choices – the first of which is finding a highly skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Is There a Cause?
Congenital anomalies can have many causes. And as much as the world at large would like to zero in on specific causes in order to eliminate birth defects, it’s just not that easy.
In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only half can be directly linked to a specific cause. There are two general areas from which the cause may rise:
- Genetic/Inherited
These are the hardest to pinpoint because they exist on the DNA or chromosomal level. When there are too many or too few chromosomes, or the structures are flawed, it can lead to a variety of different conditions.
In some cases, there may be mutations in genes, or a recessive inheritance whereby two parents carrying a recessive trait but don’t present with the condition themselves will pass it on to their offspring. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an example.
- Multiple Factors
In many cases, birth defects are the result of a specific combination of genes and environmental exposures. Some children inherit genes that cause sensitivity to certain environmental triggers. This is the most common cause of a cleft lip or palate.
Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies
Among the many congenital anomalies plastic surgeons treat, procedures for cleft lip and palate are among the most commonly performed.
This condition can undermine a developing child’s ability to eat, speak, hear, and breathe properly. Left untreated, it can negatively impact his or her development and optimal functioning. Plastic surgery can successfully repair this condition.
It’s not just cleft lips and palates though. Plastic surgeons provide profound and even life-saving treatments to those struggling with a variety of congenital anomalies. Working with a team of specialists in other areas, they can treat the following:
- Congenital breast reconstruction
- Ear deformations or malformations
- Poland syndrome
- Tuberous breast deformity
And the above list is only a smattering of the diagnoses different plastic surgeons across the country can treat – sometimes in stages and over years. It may seem like a long journey, but the destination is hugely rewarding.
Do You Struggle With a Congenital Anomaly?
If you have a treatable congenital anomaly and feel you would benefit from reconstructive surgery, contact us today.
With the prevalence of plastic surgery for congenital anomalies, there’s a good chance a surgeon can help. We’ll take the time to discuss all of the options available to you.
Is Plastic Surgery Ethical?
Given the surge of reality television that exaggerates the horrors of plastic surgery gone wrong, you may be wondering, is plastic surgery ethical?
Obviously, nothing is perfect. There are always going to be crooked people who take advantage of vulnerable populations.
But if you’re considering reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, take the time to research your plastic surgeon and ensure that he or she is board-certified and experienced. That way, you can be almost certain that you’re dealing with an ethical doctor.
Reconstructive Vs. Cosmetic Surgery
Both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery fall under the umbrella of plastic surgery. Almost no one questions the validity of reconstructive surgery. Correcting an abnormality as the result of a birth defect, accident, surgery, or injury has always been socially acceptable. Particularly when it affects the functioning of the body.
The validity of cosmetic surgery, however, has long been debated and discussed. Even though it aims to also fix body imperfections, it is considered elective surgery -regardless of whether the anomaly is congenital or the result of illness.
For many decades, people felt that cosmetic surgery merely addressed vanity. The overriding belief was that people should just accept these imperfections and/or “age gracefully.”
This stance on cosmetic surgery is no longer the viewpoint throughout the medical industry or even society at large.
More Than Just Changing Appearance
In the last decade, psychology has emerged demonstrating that physical appearance can play heavily on one’s levels of self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being.
Where it gets tricky is that some patients believe that cosmetic surgery will magically transform them to meet a specific criteria as dictated by society. Many don’t understand that these standards need to be adjusted for body proportions, age, and skin color.
An ethical surgeon will disclose this; stating as clearly and fully as possible every risk. Even those that are rare. He or she will also be clear about what the patient can realistically expect from the procedure rather than making false promises in order to get the job.
So Then When Is Plastic Surgery Ethical, And When Is It Not?
One of the biggest factors a plastic surgeon needs to consider is the psychological state of the patient. It’s one thing to help a patient feel better about him/herself by performing a procedure like a tummy tuck or a face lift. It’s another, altogether, to agree to perform a procedure on someone who is clearly in mental distress.
For example, if a patient comes in requesting multiple procedures in order to look exactly like a current celebrity. Or if a patient is clearly struggling with anorexia and is looking for a fat removal procedure.
So it’s clear that ethical plastic surgery involves a quest for complete psychophysical well-being from the patient. The objective is to create a fluid and peaceful coexistence between a patient’s outer and inner beauty. And that’s no easy feat.
If there is question of instability on any level, it is the surgeon’s responsibly to perform a full and careful evaluation. An ethical surgeon (and this includes most plastic surgeons) will do just that. If the patient proves to be mentally balanced, possibilities and limitations will be discussed, along with cost-benefit ratio. Only once the surgeon is confident of the patient’s mental and physical states and the patient has fully consented will the surgery be scheduled.
Cosmetic Surgery Delivers The Whole Package
Are you considering cosmetic surgery but are still struggling to answer the question, is plastic surgery ethical? We understand. Cosmetic surgery has gotten something of a bad wrap for a long time.
Contact us today to put your mind at ease.
During your free consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons, you’ll see how fully we grasp that there’s a wider notion of health that goes beyond merely the physical. With each patient, we address the whole person so you’ll feel confident and sure about your decision.
Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine – The Perfect Duo
It’s been said, “regenerative medicine is the wave of the future.” Of course, that was said a while back because this burgeoning field is already taking the medical world by storm.
In the simplest of terms, regenerative medicine is the process of either replacing or renovating human cells, tissues, and organs to assume regular function.
And as the field continues to merge and expand, it’s no surprise that plastic surgery and regenerative medicine make good bedfellows.
Ways That Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine Work Together
Any surgical procedure requires the body to heal. For some this is more challenging than others.
Regenerative medicine gives the body a boost. Through various processes, it aims to either regenerate damaged nerves, bones, or tissues or to stimulate the body’s existing repair mechanisms to heal. It’s an amazing concept, really.
Seeing the huge potential of this field, plastic surgeons have been particularly instrumental in elevating and utilizing these therapies. Here are just a few ways:
- Wound Care
Wound healing is highly emphasized in all surgical procedures. And complex wounds that don’t easily heal have forever been a source of concern for surgeons.
Healing these complex wounds is a major focus in regenerative medicine. Strategies in tissue engineering enable surgeons to use skin substitutes (composed of living cells cultivated in a lab) to stimulate healing. Meanwhile, other growth factors continue to be explored.
Proper healing can be especially crucial in plastic surgery procedures where aesthetics are the primary focus. Thanks to regenerative medicine, it’s not unusual to encounter plastic surgeons now using devices that incorporate micro-mechanical forces and negative pressure to stimulate wound healing. In fact, it was a plastic surgeon who discovered these devices.
Regenerative therapies for healing scars also include energy-based devices that use intense pulsed light or lasers.
- Bone and Nerve Regeneration
When skilled plastic surgeons work with patients to reconstruct extensive damage to the face or limbs, there are often significant segments of bones missing. Through regenerative medicine, surgeons have been able to use calcium-based scaffolds and biomaterials (made from bone) to form new bone tissue.
They’ve also taken great strides in the science of regenerating nerves to attain their optimal functioning through therapies that use growth factors to stimulate nerve healing and grow nerve fibers. Special biomaterials are then further employed as guides to direct that growth. This has been especially beneficial for patients in need of hand and upper extremity surgery, as well as lower extremity surgery.
- Burn Care
When it comes to reconstructive surgery for burn injury patients, plastic surgeons are pioneers in the field of skin regeneration. The utilization of protein scaffolds to generate the innermost layer of skin (the dermis) have been highly effective in healing.
- Breast Reconstruction
For breast cancer survivors, regenerative medicine has provided better outcomes from reconstructive surgery through the use of decellularized tissue scaffolds. Much like the scaffolds mentioned above, these scaffolds regenerate new tissue layers which, in this case, are over the implants.
- Specialized Skin Flaps
In some cases, plastic surgeons have to work to eliminate deformities involving delicate and complex structures that require additional skin. This is not unusual in rhinoplasty surgery.
As such, they’ve utilized regenerative medicine to engineer replacement tissues on another part of the body. Known as ‘flap prefabrication,’ the process involves then transferring tissue grafts from the growth area to the deformity once it has healed.
Want More Great Articles About Plastic Surgery?
If you’re thinking about plastic surgery for yourself, you might be curious about the plastic surgery and regenerative medicine connection or any other number of topics. Explore our blog loaded with informative topics to educate yourself further.
Of course, if you’re feeling ready to you move forward right now, reach out to set up your free consultation. We’ll answer any questions or address concerns you might have about the surgical procedure(s) you’re considering.
So go ahead. Contact us today!
Correcting Plastic Surgery Procedures
The world at large is fascinated with plastic surgery and the results it renders. And given the large number of reality TV dealing with botched or excessive jobs, it would seem that it’s a major problem.
It isn’t. The vast majority of plastic surgery procedures go as planned and the patients are satisfied. However, there will always be exceptions.
There are occasions where correcting plastic surgery procedures is required. So if you’ve had a procedure and aren’t satisfied with the results, then it may be time to consider this route.
The Extra Challenge of Correcting Plastic Surgery Procedures
Remember that you won’t see stunning results right away. The healing process can take days or weeks following your procedure. Hopefully you discussed with your surgeon what to realistically expect and how long it should take.
That said, if you’re still not satisfied after you’ve healed, then you’ll need to start the process of seeking corrective surgery. And it’s important to understand the unique challenges that go with correcting plastic surgery procedures.
Because there is existing scar tissue, the degree of difficulty is greatly increased for the surgeon. There may also be a lack of material with which to work. For example, if there is no longer cartilage or other tissue in the original area, it may need to be sourced from another part of the body.
In addition, you may already be feeling emotional and even afraid to undergo another procedure. And if what you need is large in scale and detailed, you may need several procedures. When this is the case, you need to be aware that the situation could get worse before it gets better.
Should You Use the Same Surgeon?
Try not to be too quick to rule out your original surgeon out of frustration. Even the greatest and most skilled plastic surgeon can run into unforeseen complications. Unless you have a terrible relationship with your current surgeon, there are advantages to using him or her to do the corrective procedure. This is because your surgeon will have familiarity with the outcome you desired and with the specific way you heal.
If, however, you’ve lost confidence with your surgeon, discovered (too late) that he or she is a fraud, or your relationship with them has gone south, then you’ll want to consult with another who actually specializes in corrective surgery. Any surgeon you pick should be board-certified in plastic surgery and have extensive training and experience in reconstructive surgery.
And keep in mind that, in order to minimize risk, you’ll have to wait at least one year before having surgery in the same area.
Are You Curious About Plastic Surgery?
As we mentioned above, the need for correcting plastic surgery procedures is minimal.
So if you’re interested in plastic surgery for either cosmetic or reconstructive (or both!) purposes, don’t hesitate to contact us today for your free consultation.
You’ll sit down with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss all of the options available to you and what you can expect in the long-term.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
If you know anything about regenerative medicine, then you may be curious about the role of regenerative medicine in plastic surgery.
Then again, maybe you’re not familiar with regenerative medicine and it sounds like some sort of idea stirred up by a science fiction author. It’s not.
In fact, regenerative medicine has been a godsend for folks who’ve lost tissue because of cancer, burns, or other trauma where reconstructive plastic surgery options are limited. This is why plastic surgeons have been instrumental in developing new therapies in regenerative medicine.
So What Is Regenerative Medicine?
The field of regenerative medicine is based on the concept that doctors can turn to the body’s own powers to heal itself rather than solely relying on drugs or invasive surgical procedures. The thought is that by replacing, engineering, and regenerating human cells, tissues, or even organs, normal form and function can once again be achieved.
This is not to say that there is no use for drugs and surgical procedures though. In fact, along with cells, tissues, and organs, regenerative medicine utilizes drugs, synthetic biomaterials, and devices.
In a nut shell, the goal of regenerative medicine is to both heal damaged tissue, and form new tissue.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
Patients who have suffered with the aforementioned cancer and burns are not the only ones to benefit from regenerative medicine. Researchers and plastic surgeons are currently developing regenerative medicine-based treatments for those with congenital anomalies of the face and hands (including microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palate), facial nerve injuries, limb and muscle loss, and injuries to major nerves in the arms and legs.
The following are some of the ways that plastic surgeons are incorporating regenerative medicine therapies:
Burn Care
With severe burns where the dermal (innermost) layer of skin is damaged, plastic surgeons are now able to use protein scaffolds to generate new tissue there.
Tissue Expansion to Generate New Skin
Plastic surgeons also pioneered a technique whereby they are able to implant balloon devices that are gradually expanded to generate new skin tissue to cover a deformity. This therapy has been revolutionary in breast reconstruction as well as for treating birth anomalies.
Wound Care
Reconstructive plastic surgery alone may not be enough to repair complex wounds that are difficult to heal. In these cases, there’s a need for tissue engineering – i.e. skin substitutes made from living cells grown in a lab – to aid in the healing.
Additionally, it was a plastic surgeon who was the first to bring negative pressure devices into the arena of wound care. These regenerative medical devices employ micro-mechanical forces to stimulate and further wound healing.
Treating Scars
Laser and intense pulsed light are just two of the energy-based devices from the field of regenerative medicine. And they’re increasingly gaining in popularity with plastic surgeons and their patients to improve the healing of scars.
Breast Reconstruction
Women who have survived breast cancer through a mastectomy are faced with the decision of whether they want to have breast reconstruction. Today, plastic surgeons can use decellularized tissue scaffolds to generate new tissue over breast implants to achieve a better outcome.
Bone Regeneration
At one time, patients suffering extensive trauma that involved the loss of large bone segments had to cut their losses. But now, through regenerative medical therapies, plastic surgeons can take advantage of calcium-based scaffolds and biomaterials derived from bone to form new bone tissue for these patients.
Regeneration of Nerves
When is comes to regenerating nerves, this is where the field of regenerative medicine feels decidedly like something out of science fiction. But plastic surgeons are finding new ways every day to restore optimal function to patients who have experienced nerve injury.
Therapies in this area include using specialized growth factors to accelerate nerve healing, and specific biomaterials that actually guide and direct the growth of new nerve fibers.
It’s really quite amazing.
Could Plastic Surgery Help You?
Plastic surgery is no longer about just improving a nose that’s too big or breasts that are too small. Although these are completely valid surgeries, it’s clear that there’s a need for regenerative medicine in plastic surgery too.
So if you’re struggling with an aesthetic or functional flaw that you feel could be repaired though plastic surgery, contact us today. During your free consultation, your plastic surgeon will clearly lay out your options so you know exactly what to expect.