Facial Reconstruction may also be known as oral or maxillofacial surgery and is performed in multiple ways, depending on how complex the problem is. The Facial Reconstruction surgery will restore function and will also fix certain areas that look unaesthetic. The different Facial Reconstruction techniques include excision, grafting, reconnection and ligation, and some patients may also need prosthetics.
Grafting and Facial Reconstruction
Facial Reconstruction is often performed using grafting. Patients that need bone or skin reconstruction will undergo a skin or bone grafting procedure. The procedure requires general anesthesia. The surgeon will decide the area(s) the skin or bone can be grafted from.
Typically, skin will be taken from the back, thighs, arms or buttock area, so as to have a texture that is similar to the facial skin. Bone grafts may be taken from the toes, fingers or possibly the back. Alternatively, the skin or bone grafts may be obtained from a donor.
The skin or the bone needed for grafting will be removed from the original areas and will be repositioned on the face. If needed, the surgeon will remove damaged skin or bones prior to placing the grafts. The technique uses is known as excision. The surgeon will arrange the grafts and will stitch the skin. The local skin cells should integrate the skin grafts in time.
Excision and Facial Reconstruction
The excision technique may be used in patients that have an excess of skin cells in the facial area. The cells that are not needed will be removed using a scalpel or laser beams and if needed, the area will be stitched.
A local anesthesia will be used if the surgery is minor, or a general anesthesia will be needed if the area is larger.
Reconnection and Ligation
The reconnection and ligation are often used during a Facial Reconstruction procedure, when the surgeon needs to suture skin, blood vessels or other structures together.
Facial Reconstruction with Prosthetics
Often, the patient will require a prosthetics, especially if he lacks great sized bones and important structures that cannot be replaced with bone grafts. The prosthetic can vary in size and may be a small pin that links two bones or can be a larger structure.
The prosthetic can be manufactured of metals or plastic and will be inserted after the surgeon opens the area where the prosthetic is supposed to be inserted. After arranging the prosthetic, the surgeon will use the reconnection or ligation technique to suture the face.
Debridement
Debridement is a procedure that may be needed during a Facial Reconstruction surgery. This technique involves cutting and removing dead or damaged skin cells, which should be eliminated to allow new skin cells to grow. If the cells removed cover a larger area, a skin graft will be needed.
The Facial Reconstruction may require 1 or more of the above mentioned techniques. A more complex Facial Reconstruction will require a few days of hospitalization after the surgery.
