: : www.cosmeticsurgery-thailand.com : : Reconstruction Surgery for Congenital and Other Abnormalities : :

: : Reconstruction Surgery for Congenital and Other Abnormalities : :

Reconstruction surgery can be undertaken in a wide range of circumstances- from young patients with a congenital abnormality (birth defect) such as a cleft palate, to a young adult injured in an accident, to an elderly person with a drooping eyelid that causes blocked vision.

The number of conditions that can be improved through reconstructive surgery varies along with the number of techniques that can be used. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to return both form and function to the affected area, unlike cosmetic surgery that strives to improve only physical appearance.

Is reconstruction surgery right for you?
    Candidates for reconstruction surgery generally fall into one of two categories: those who have congenital deformities (birth defects) and those who have acquired deformities or developmental deformities, such as those who have been injured in an accident.

     Congenital deformities include such conditions as cleft lip and palate, hand deformities such as syndactyly (webbed fingers or toes), extra or absent fingers, protruding ears and abnormal breast development.

     Acquired or developmental deformities include burn and other scars, disfigurement due to paralysis, and conditions that develop with a person’s age such as areas of brown pigmentation on the skin.

How is reconstruction surgery performed?
    Reconstruction is performed through use of a variety of techniques including tissue expansion, skin grafts, flap surgery, and laser surgery. The size, nature and complexity of the abnormality will determine the technique to be used and the length of time the surgery will take. In some cases, several procedures may be required to be performed over a number of stages.

     Skin grafts are patches of skin that are taken from an inconspicuous part of the body, such as the buttocks or abdomen, and used to cover another area of the body where the skin is missing or damaged. Skin grafts are generally used for wide wounds that cannot be easily closed with stitches.

     Flap surgery is where a section of living tissue, including the skin and the underlying blood vessels, is moved from one area of the body to another. Once the skin is positioned in place, the blood vessels are often re-attached though microsurgery procedures. This technique allows surgeons to transplant large sections of tissue, muscle or bone from one area of the body to another with the original blood supply intact.

     Tissue expansion is a technique that allows stretching of the existing skin through the insertion of a balloon-like device under the skin’s surface. The device, or “expander” is gradually filled with saline solution over time, causing the skin to stretch and grow.

     Reconstruction surgery can also be used to restore the form, function and mobility of hands that have been affected by carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, ganglion cysts, and Dupuytren’s disease.

     Laser surgery can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions including birthmarks, skin growths, tumours, and spider veins. Many types of lasers are currently available, offering the advantage of minimal bleeding, bruising and scarring.

How long will it take to recover?
The recovery period following reconstruction surgery is dependent on the type and extent of surgery undertaken. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to guide you as to the expected timeframe for recovery and when you can expect to resume normal activity.

Where reconstruction surgery is performed on children, it is not always possible to predict how growth will affect the results over time. Follow-up visits and additional surgery may be required as the child grows and matures.

What are the risks involved?
All surgery carries some degree of risk, including the risk of excessive bleeding and infection. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of surgery, including smoking, impaired circulation and nutritional deficiency. Your surgeon will discuss ways in which to minimize the risks of surgery during your consultation.