| Plastic Surgery Techniques Surgical
techniques used in plastic surgery:
There are many different techniques used to perform cosmetic and
reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, including:
- endoscopic surgery
Endoscopic surgery is performed with an endoscope, a tubular probe that has a tiny camera
and a bright light, which is inserted into a small incision. Images from the camera are
transmitted back to a screen, which the surgeon watches while manipulating the endoscope
inside the body. The endoscope is a device to assist the surgeon during surgical
procedures. Instruments to actually perform the surgery are inserted through a different
incision(s).
- flap surgery
Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to
another -- often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal
support. There are several different types of flap surgery methods that may be utilized,
depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired. The
types include:
| local flap - is located next to the wound; the skin
remains attached at one end in order that the blood supply is left intact. |
| regional flap - uses a section of tissue that is
attached by a specific blood vessel. |
| bone/soft tissue flap - this type of flap is often
used when bone and the overlying skin are transported to a new location. |
| musculocutaneous flap (muscle and skin flap)
- this type of flap is often used when the area to be covered needs more bulk and an
increased blood supply. This type of flap is often used to rebuild a breast following a
mastectomy. |
| microvascular free flap - involves detaching and
reattaching skin and blood vessels from one site of the body to another site. Microsurgery
is used to attach the blood vessels. |
- laser technology
Lasers used in plastic surgery often provide for minimal bleeding, bruising, and scarring.
There are many different types of lasers that may be utilized, depending upon the purpose
and location of the surgery to be performed. Consult your plastic surgeon to determine if
laser surgery, and which type is most appropriate for you.
- skin grafts
A skin graft may be used to cover skin that has been damaged and/or is missing. This
surgical procedure involves removing healthy portions of skin from one part of the body to
restore normal appearance and/or function to another portion of the same body. The place
where the skin is removed is called the donor site. There are three different types of
skin grafts that may be utilized, depending upon the size and location of needed skin.
These include:
Split-thickness
skin graft
- commonly used to treat burn wounds
- uses only the layers of skin closest to the surface
- donor location site will be chosen based on size, type, and pigment of skin needed
|
Full-thickness
skin graft
- used to treat deep and large wounds or scars
- used when maximum skin elasticity are needed
- uses all layers (not just the surface layer) of skin from the donor site
|
Composite skin
graft
- provides the repaired skin with the most underlying support
- involves lifting all layers of skin, fat, and sometimes the underlying cartilage from
the donor site
|
- tissue expansion
A tissue expansion is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a balloon-like device
(called an expander) under the skin. The expander then slowly secretes liquid into the
area to be repaired to actually stretch and expand the skin. This serves the function of
"growing" extra skin to repair nearby lost or damaged skin.
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