Mastery of Surgery

Although no amount of surgery can achieve perfection, modern treatment options allow plastic surgeons to achieve new levels of mastery in surgery.

There are two basic forms of reconstructive surgery, congenital deformities, otherwise known as birth defects, and developmental deformities, acquired as a result of accident, infection, disease, or in some cases, aging.

Congenital Deformities

• Birthmarks

• Cleft-lip and palate deformities

• Hand deformities like webbed fingers

• Extra or absent fingers

• Abnormal breast development.

Developmental Deformities

• Burn wounds

• Lacerations

• Growths

• Aging problems

In addition to correcting cuts and other surface wounds, your plastic surgeon can also treat both cancerous and non-cancerous growths and problems with the supporting structures beneath the skin.

Tumors, both cancerous and benign, vary widely in type, severity and recurrence. The removal method chosen will depend largely on the type of growth, what stage it's in, and its location on the body.

Skin cancers and growths are usually removed by excision and closure, in which the growth is simply removed completely with a scalpel, leaving a small thin scar. If the cancer is large or spreading, major surgery may be necessary, using flaps to reconstruct the affected area.

As with any surgery, complications can and do occur. These can include infection; excessive bleeding, such as hematomas (pooling of blood beneath the skin); bruising and problems with your wound healing; complications related to anesthesia and surgery.

There are a number of factors that may increase the risk of complications in healing. In general, a patient is considered to be a higher risk if he or she is a smoker; has a connective-tissue disease; has areas of damaged skin from radiation therapy; has decreased circulation to the surgical area; has HIV or an impaired immune system; or has poor nutrition. If you are on blood thinners you'll be asked to stop a week or two before surgery.

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