Reconstructive surgery is a separate area used in plastic surgery. Their main task is to restore the appearance and functioning of the affected part of the body after a negative external impact.
Basically, such an operation is carried out with severe injuries. It helps to recreate the original natural form of the body and return functionality to it.
Feature of the operation
Reconstructive-restorative surgery is performed for burns and accidents. This may include bone restoration and skin grafting. In some cases, prostheses are used, which are made from artificial materials and are used to replace missing limbs, joints or teeth. Among the features of reconstructive operations, it is necessary to highlight the following:
- character;
- main reasons;
- participation of specialists from different fields.
When carrying out such an operationa defect is eliminated, which not only has an unattractive appearance, but also interferes with the normal functioning of organs. This category includes both birth defects and sequelae:
- injuries;
- burns;
- serious illnesses.
During the operation, not only the existing sutures and scar tissue are removed, but microsurgery of vessels and nerves is also performed to normalize the functionality of the affected area.
Too much damage to any tissue leads to impaired functioning of the kidneys, heart, lungs. In this case, plastic surgery allows not only to restore the appearance, but also to prevent the occurrence of internal pathologies.
Another difference between reconstructive surgeries is the participation of specialists from different fields, in particular:
- otolaryngologists;
- orthopedists;
- gynecologists;
- dentists;
- ophthalmologists.
This is due to the fact that during such an intervention it is necessary, first of all, to restore the functionality of the affected area.
Main indications
There are certain indications for reconstructive surgery, which should include such as:
- deep burns;
- mechanical injury;
- malignant neoplasms;
- consequences of surgery.
In women, an indication may be a complication during childbirth, which resulted in deformation of the perineum and uterus. These major traumatic factors, as well as impairments, cancause partial or complete loss of performance. Motor and anatomical disorders adversely affect the functioning of internal organs.
With dangerous intense lesions, the liver, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and lungs begin to suffer. A similar condition can be observed with various genetic abnormalities.
Disfigurement of the face significantly impairs the quality of life of the affected person. That is why the main task of the surgeon is not only the return of lost functions, but also the restoration of the natural appearance.
Applied material
To fully restore the affected parts of the body and organs during a reconstructive operation, both artificial materials and biological tissues of the patient themselves are used. The second method is considered the most preferable, as it significantly minimizes the risk of rejection. However, in some cases it is not possible to use donor tissue.
Artificial implants are used for:
- breast augmentation;
- nose restoration;
- zygomatic bone;
- jaw angles.
Such structures are made from neutral biological materials. The most popular of them are medical polyethylene, silicone, porous polytetrafluoroethylene. These materials do not provoke the occurrence of allergies and quite rarely they are rejected. As applicable implants made from donor tissue are used:
- muscular;
- fatty;
- leather tissue;
- bone and cartilage material.
Often, adipose tissue is taken from the patient for reconstruction of the chest, face, limbs. Other types of donor materials are rarely used.
Types of operation
Among the main areas of reconstructive plastic surgery, it is necessary to highlight the following:
- facial plastic surgery and its varieties;
- mammoplasty (breast surgery);
- abdominoplasty (tummy tuck);
- perineal plasty;
- thoracoplasty (combined version);
- plastic limbs.
These operations are performed by plastic surgeons of various specializations. Modern reconstructive plastic surgery implies interventions of different types and degrees of complexity. With the help of microsurgical technique, scars are removed, the integrity of damaged vessels, muscles and nerves is restored.
Traumatic injuries are eliminated mainly by own, donor tissues, biosynthetic polymeric materials. The latest techniques allow for increasingly complex interventions.
By localization
Reconstructive plastic surgery is divided according to the area of intervention. In many ways, they coincide with conventional plasty technologies, but always involve the participation of specialists in the functioning of the operated organ.
Blepharoplasty involves changing the shape of the eyes and the size of the eyelids. When carrying out reconstruction in part or in fullthe lost eyelid is restored, which provokes incomplete closing of the eye.
During rhinoplasty, the nasal septum is corrected. The intervention is performed under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. Otoplasty involves correcting the position of the cartilage and building up the auricle. In the absence of an ear, an implant is used.
Jaw correction combines plastic surgery of the lips, chin and neck. It implies active cooperation with dentists. During the intervention, congenital defects are corrected. Mammoplasty is the complete or partial restoration of a mammary gland lost as a result of surgery or trauma. Implants are almost always used for this purpose. Vaginoplasty - reconstructive plastic surgery for uterine myoma, injuries of the vagina, labia. Phalloplasty is the restoration or correction of the penis after surgery, injuries and the elimination of birth defects. In some cases, reconstructive vascular surgery may be required to restore the functioning of the urethra.
Abdominoplasty - removal of postoperative sutures, stretch marks, scars, burns in the abdomen. This intervention is combined with excision of fat and skin. Reconstructive operations on the spine are among the most complex. They are carried out only in case of irreversible damage. They are performed in several stages and require a long, complex rehabilitation.
By impact direction
All kinds of reconstructive surgeriessubdivided according to the direction of influence. Plastic surgery involves working with the skin, tendons, muscle and bone tissue, as well as mucous membranes. Correction of skin defects is used to eliminate scars, scars, postoperative sutures. This also includes the removal of benign formations, deep pigmentation. It is best to use the patient's own tissues.
Tendon reconstruction is performed to restore all or part of the lost mobility. In severe injuries, it is replaced with artificial material. Correction of defects in muscle tissue - recovery from underdevelopment or loss of performance as a result of injuries. The lack of tissues can be filled by the introduction of fillers or implants.
Organs are also being restored, in particular, such as a finger, ears, chest. Donor tissue is used for reconstruction. The most difficult operations are the correction of congenital pathologies.
Performance feature
Reconstructive operations on bones, muscles and skin are much more difficult than the usual correction of body parts. Accordingly, preparation for it takes much longer, and recovery is long and difficult. You must first conduct an examination, as well as laboratory research and consultation with specialists. Reconstruction is always associated with structural changes that affect the functioning of organs.
If reconstructive and restorative operations on the joints are performed, then the extraction of biological material is required orsuitable artificial material. In some cases, the implant may be custom-fitted. In case of skin, bone or cartilage transplantation, the required material is prepared.
When everything is ready, the intervention itself is performed with the transplantation of biological material or implants. The period of adaptation of the transplanted tissue is a more important stage than the operation itself. The final result of the reconstruction largely depends on how well the tissue has taken root.
Then, rehabilitation is required, aimed at full or partial restoration of the functioning of the damaged organ or part of the body. If reconstructive plastic surgery of the knee joint and other organs is performed, then a number of interventions are required. After each procedure, you need to make sure that the tissues are completely engrafted and the functioning of the organ is restored. Only then is the next operation scheduled.
Preparing for the procedure
Preparation for plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery involves a variety of techniques and approaches. Most procedures involve a hospital stay and general anesthesia.
Initially, in preparation for surgery, the surgeon makes a detailed assessment of the parts of the patient's body that will be involved in the operation. Skin grafts require careful evaluation of suitable areas of desired color and texture. Eye surgery requires close attention to the placement of surgical incisions.
Patients undergo blood and urine tests before undergoing reconstructive surgery, as well as other tests to select the drug intended for anesthesia. A person should avoid taking Aspirin and drugs that contain this active ingredient in their composition for 1-2 weeks before the proposed operation. These medicines increase blood clotting time. It is imperative to stop smoking 2 weeks before surgery, as smoking interferes with the normal healing process.
Rehabilitation period
After reconstructive surgery on the foot, as well as other organs, a long period of rehabilitation is required, which is carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor, since it is important to restore not only the appearance, but also the functionality of the affected area.
Follow-up medical care after surgery under general anesthesia includes the patient's stay in the recovery room, monitoring vital signs, taking medication to relieve pain. People who have undergone reconstructive abdominoplasty can stay in the hospital for 2 weeks. Patients after mammoplasty or breast reconstruction, as well as some types of facial surgery, are generally in the hospital for a week.
Some people may need follow-up therapy or counseling. This mainly concerns children affected by birth defects, as well asadults after injuries sustained in accidents.
Contraindications
Reconstructive plastic surgery is not a life-saving operation. However, most types of correction prevent the occurrence of pathologies of internal organs. These include reconstructive operations on the joints, bone and cartilage tissue. That is why this type of intervention has much fewer contraindications and restrictions than conventional plastic surgery. The main contraindications include:
- severe heart disease;
- malignant neoplasms;
- bleeding disorder;
- diabetes severe;
- autoimmune disorders;
- severe kidney and liver damage;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
Surgery almost always requires general anesthesia, which is why it is very important to establish the possibility of intervention.
Possible risks
Risks associated with reconstructive surgery include various postoperative complications that can occur with any type of surgery under anesthesia. These infections include various types of wound infections, pneumonia, internal bleeding, and reactions to the anesthetic used.
In addition to the general risks, the likelihood of other complications can also be attributed, in particular, such as:
- scar tissue formation;
- constant soreness, swelling and redness in the areaintervention;
- prosthetic-related infection;
- tissue rejection;
- anemia or embolism;
- loss of sensation in the area of the operation.
Normal outcomes include a quick recovery of the patient after the intervention with good performance and no complications. Infection and mortality largely depend on the complexity of the procedures performed. Mortality is similar to other surgical procedures.
If the operation is performed by a qualified surgeon, complications are extremely rare and do not significantly affect the result. Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations at all stages reduces or eliminates the risk of pathologies and disorders.
Reviews of patients after reconstruction
Reviews on reconstructive surgery are mostly positive, since with the help of such a technique, you can quickly restore the former attractiveness, as well as the functioning of the affected organ. However, some say that the postoperative period is quite difficult and takes a lot of time. There may be some soreness during recovery, so pain medication should be taken.
Many patients say that with the help of reconstruction they were able to restore the original shape of the nose and jaw after injuries and accidents. In addition, this technique helps to eliminate existing congenital and acquired defects.
Such techniques allow you to effectively deal with existing defects and pathologies.
