Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic Surgery

Derived from the Greek word "plastikos," meaning "to mold or give form," plastic surgery has the goal of restoring function and form to the body. Unlike most surgical specialties, it is not confined to one organ system or body part. Instead, plastic surgery repairs, reconstructs and replaces physical defects involving:

Skin and soft tissue
Head and neck
Facial structures
Trunk and extremities
Hand
Breast
Peripheral nerves

There are two types of plastic surgery: reconstructive and cosmetic. According to the Americal Medican Association, the two types of plastic surgery are defined as follows:

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.

Cosmetic and reconstructive procedures performed by plastic surgeons include:

Treatment of skin diseases, cancer, trauma:

Malignant and benign lesions of the skin (basal cell, squamous cell)
Melanoma
Malignant and benign lesions of the soft tissue (sarcoma, lipoma)
Birthmarks
Reconstructive flaps and grafts
Scar revisions

Surgery of the breast:

Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction
Breast reduction
Congenital and developmental breast deformities
Gynecomastia

Treatment of facial deformity, disease, trauma:

Facial fractures (mandible, zygoma, orbits, nose)
Tumors of the lips, mouth, tongue, salivary glands
Congenital tumors and vascular malformations
Wound and laceration treatment
Nasal deformity, ear deformity
Cleft lip and palate

Surgery of the hand:

Hand and forearm wounds
Tendon injuries and lacerations
Nerve injuries
Fractures of the hand
Vascular injuries of the hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dupuytren's contracture
Trigger finger
Congenital anomalies (extra digits, webbed fingers, etc.)

Surgery of the trunk and extremities:

Chest and abdominal wall reconstruction
Perineal reconstruction
Lower extremity coverage
Flaps, grafts, free tissue transfer, expanders

Cosmetic surgery:

Facelift (browlift, neck-lift)
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
Cosmetic rhinoplasty
Cosmetic otoplasty
Liposuction
Collagen injections
Abdominoplasty

For more information about Corona Regional Medical Center physicians and surgeons please call 1-800-882-4362.

Note: The information on this Web site is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: There is no adequate substitution for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither Corona Regional Medical Center, or any of their affiliates, nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this Web site.

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