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.
