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Plastic and reconstructive sugery
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Types of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
History
The history of cosmetic surgery reaches back to the ancient world.
Physicians in ancient India including the great Indian surgeon Susrutha were
utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as the 8th century
BC. His work Sushruta Samhita describes rhinoplasty and otoplasty. This
knowledge of plastic surgery existed in India up to the late 18th century as
can be seen from the reports published in Gentleman's Magazine (October
1794).
The Romans were able to perform simple techniques such as repairing damaged
ears from around the 1st century BC. In mid-15th century Europe, Heinrich
von Pfolspeundt described a process "to make a new nose for one who lacks it
entirely, and the dogs have devoured it" by removing skin from the back of
the arm and suturing it in place. However, because of the dangers associated
with surgery in any form, especially that involving the head or face, it was
not until the 19th and 20th centuries that such surgeries became commonplace.
The U.S.'s first plastic surgeon was Dr. John Peter Mettauer. He performed
the first cleft palate operation in 1827 with instruments that he designed
himself. The New Zealander Sir Harold Gillies developed many of the
techniques of modern plastic surgery in caring for those who suffered facial
injuries in World War I, he is considered to be the father of modern plastic
surgery. His work was expanded upon during World War II by one of his former
students and cousin, Archibald McIndoe, who pioneered treatments for RAF
aircrew suffering from severe burns. McIndoe's radical, experimental
treatments, lead to the formation of the Guinea Pig Club.
Reconstructive
surgery
Common reconstructive surgeries are: breast reconstruction for women who
have had a mastectomy, cleft lip and palate surgery, contracture surgery for
burn survivors, and closing skin and mucosa defects after removal of tumors
in the head and neck region. Sex reassignment surgery for transsexual people
is another example of reconstructive surgery.
Plastic surgeons have developed the use of microsurgery to transfer tissue
for coverage of a defect when no local tissue is available. Tissue "flaps"
comprised of skin, muscle, bone, fat or a combination, may be removed from
the body, moved to another site on the body and reconnected to a blood
supply by suturing arteries and veins as small as 1-2 mm in diameter.
There is a definite gray area between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
Many of the techniques of cosmetic surgery are utilized in reconstructive
surgery to improve cosmesis.
Cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a very popular avenue for personal enhancement, as
demonstrated by the 11.9 million cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S.
alone in 2004. As for any operation, cosmetic procedures involve risk, and
should therefore not be undertaken lightly. Within the US, critics of
plastic surgery note that it is legal for any doctor, regardless of
speciality, to perform "cosmetic surgery", but not "plastic surgery". It is
thus important to distinguish the terms "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic
surgery": Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical
Specialties (the only official entity overseeing physician certification in
the United States) as the subspecialty dedicated to the surgical repair of
defects of form or function -- this includes cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery,
as well as reconstructive surgery. The term "cosmetic surgery" however,
simply refers to surgery that is designed to improve cosmetics, or
appearance. (One could argue that reconstructive surgery always has some
cosmetic aspect to it, because form and function are often both important in
plastic surgery repairs.) Thus there is no real art of "cosmetic surgery":
it is a catch-all commercial phrase that laypeople understand easily and
non-plastic surgeons eagerly use because they are not allowed to use the
term "plastic surgery".
The most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed below. Most of
these types of surgery are more commonly known by their "common names."
These are also listed when pertinent.
Abdominoplasty
(or "tummy tuck"): reshaping and firming of the abdomen
Abdominal etching
(or "ab etching": Specialized and trademarked liposuction surgery for male
and female patients that affords six-pack abs or a flat, athletic, or
countoured stomach.
Blepharoplasty
(or "eyelid surgery"): Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of
permanent eyeliner, including Asian blepharoplasty
Augmentation Mammaplasty
(or "breast enlargement" or "boob job"): Augmentation of the breasts. This
can involve either saline or silicone gel prosthetics.
Buttock Augmentation
(or "butt augmentation" or "butt implants"): Enhancement of the buttocks.
This procedure can be performed by using silicone implants or fat grafting
and transfer from other areas of the body.
Chemical peel
Removal of acne scars and sagging skin—not technically surgery and can be
performed by a cosmetologist. Chemical peels commonly involve Phenol, TCA,
or Glycolic acid as the active agent.
Phenol peels,
while the most effective, require cardiac monitoring and require longer
recovery periods, thus diminishing their current popularity.
Mastopexy
(or "breast lift"): Raising of sagging breasts
Labiaplasty
Surgical reduction and reshaping of the labia
Rhinoplasty
(or "nose job"): Reshaping of the nose
Otoplasty
(or ear surgery): Reshaping
of the ear
Rhytidectomy
(or "face lift"): Removal of
wrinkles and signs of aging from the face
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy
(or liposuction): Removal of fat from the body
Chin augmentation
Augmentation of the chin with an implant (e.g. silicone) or by sliding
genioplasty of the jawbone.
Cheek augmentation
Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections (eg hyaluronic acid)
Mesotherapy
An alternative to liposuction where fluids are injected to break down and
dissolve the fat (still a speculative treatment).
.
Types of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
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