Reconstructive Surgery Techniques

Reconstructive surgery is corrective surgery to fix problems with structure or function of a body part, or to correct an abnormality or defect. Cutting-edge reconstructive surgery techniques can provide relief from chronic joint pain, reconstruct a breast after a mastectomy, correct a congenital defect in bones of the face and skull or rebuild an area of skin and muscle affected by cancer.

If you’ve been considering reconstructive surgery for yourself or a loved one, do some research and consult a plastic surgeon. Our Surgeon Locator makes it easy to find a doctor in your area.

Find a Reconstructive Surgeon

Finding the right surgeon can make all the difference in your reconstructive surgery experience. We work hard to connect you with the best doctors in your area. Our physicians are skilled and qualified in cutting-edge reconstructive surgery techniques. They perform surgery in accredited medical facilities, keep abreast of the latest developments in their field, complete continuing education in reconstructive surgery and follow the highest standards in patient care and safety.

Click on “Surgeon Locator” to search our physician directory for a surgeon in your region. You can read about physicians’ credentials, visit their websites, learn about the reconstructive surgery procedures they perform and see pictures of their offices and patients.

The first step toward your reconstructive surgery is setting up a consultation with a surgeon. During your consultation, your doctor will gather information about your medical history and ask you questions about your goals in pursuing reconstructive surgery. He or she will determine whether or not you are a candidate for surgery and which procedure will work best for your situation and produce the best results. The only way to know for certain if you are a candidate for reconstructive surgery is to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon.

The goal of reconstructive surgery is to improve your appearance, your ability to accomplish everyday tasks, your sense of well-being and your life. We encourage you to take this important step by searching for a local doctor today.

Reconstructive Surgery Procedures

Reconstructive surgery procedures involve many different parts of the body and involve methods for fixing bones, joints and tissues. Following are descriptions of some reconstructive surgery procedures. You can read the other pages of our site for more detailed information about these procedures.

Breast Reconstructive Surgery

Many women choose breast reconstructive after a mastectomy. Breast reconstructive creates a natural silhouette and can improve self-esteem and boost confidence. There are two main methods of breast reconstructive: breast implants or flap breast reconstructive using grafted tissues. In some procedures, a flap reconstructive is combined with implants.

Breast reconstructive using implants may involve either a one-step or two-step approach. In the one-step approach, the implants are inserted underneath the skin and chest muscle. In the two-step approach, a tissue expander is inserted first, and the doctor slowly fills it with a saline solution over the course of several months to expand the area and prepare it for the implant. Next, the expander is removed and the implant is inserted.

Flap breast reconstructive uses tissue from a woman’s own body to reconstruct the breast. Tissues are often taken from the abdomen, back or buttocks. In most cases, a muscle is grafted, although some techniques reconstruct the breast from fat and skin and do not use muscle.

Implants and flap techniques both have pros and cons, risks and benefits. A qualified surgeon will discuss both options with a patient and determine which option will work best in her situation.

Facial Reconstructive Surgery

Facial reconstructive involves correcting structural problems in the bones of the face as well as other facial abnormalities. A qualified facial reconstructive surgeon can successfully treat congenital defects, problems associated with how the bones of the face have developed and issues stemming from fractures, injuries or other facial traumas.

Procedures may involve realigning bones that have not formed properly, fixing fractured bones by fastening them into place, removing skin defects, reshaping a skull that did not form properly and using skin and bone grafts to reshape areas where skin and bone damage or loss has occurred.

Cleft Lip/Palate Reconstructive Surgery

A cleft lip or palate, called “oral clefting,” occurs when the tissue of the lip or palate does not form properly in a developing fetus. Oral clefting is one of the most common congenital defects and leads to dental problems, problems with eating and speech, ear infections and other problems. Fortunately, modern surgical techniques can successfully correct a cleft lip or palate.

To treat a cleft lip, the surgeon makes incisions near the gap in the lip and sutures the lip together. For a cleft palate, tissues from other parts of the mouth are used to create the missing portion of palate.

Facial Reconstructive Surgery After Skin Cancer Removal

Patients who have had head or neck cancer may benefit from facial reconstructive surgery. Even after the successful removal of a tumor or skin cancer, scarring and other deformities may result in medical problems or lower quality of life. A facial reconstructive surgeon can help restore the natural appearance of the face and treat excessive scaring.

Rhinoplasty Reconstructive Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a surgery to improve the function of the nose and to fix problems associated with trauma, birth defects or breathing problems. Although nose reconstructive is a popular cosmetic surgery, it is considered reconstructive surgery when done not for aesthetic reasons but to correct a defect and restore proper function.

Jaw Reconstructive Surgery

Jaw reconstructive may be necessary to treat problems associated with the maxilla (upper jaw) and the mandible (lower jaw), such as a misalignment of the jaw bones that results in an overbite or underbite. To perform jaw reconstructive surgery, the surgeon cuts and repositions the jaw bones to restructure the shape of the jaw with the goal of achieving natural form and function.

Orthodontics (braces) may be required before surgery to prepare the teeth for the jaw realignment. Braces may also be required for a time after the surgery.

ACL Reconstructive Surgery

ACL reconstructive is a surgical procedure to replace the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. In this procedure, the ligament is replaced by grafting tissue from another part of the body. A common reason for an ACL reconstructive surgery is a sports injury to the knee. Reconstructing the ACL using tissue from elsewhere in the body restores function to the knee.

This procedure requires physical therapy to restore full range of motion. ACL reconstructive patients can usually return to sports or exercise after a full recovery.

Knee Replacement Reconstructive Surgery

Knee replacement, also called “knee arthroplasty” is performed to relieve chronic pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis, which is a painful joint disorder resulting from the deterioration of the cartilage in the knee.

Knee arthroplasty involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces in the knee with metal or plastic parts, or “prostheses.” The doctor first makes a vertical incision from the lower thigh to the upper shin. The knee cap, or patella, is moved to the side to expose the joint. Next, the surgeon cuts the end of the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia) and contours them, preparing them for the prosthetic parts. The surgeon normally removes the cartilage and ligaments. Once fixed into place, the prosthetics produce an artificial joint that will eventually mimic the movement of the knee, allowing the patient to walk.

After knee arthroplasty, the patient will need physical therapy to restore range of motion.

Hip Reconstructive Surgery

Hip replacement or “hip arthroplasty” is a procedure that provides relief from pain by replacing the hip joint with artificial parts, or prostheses. Hip resurfacing is another procedure that involves replacing only parts of the hip rather than the whole joint. For younger or more active patients who may not be considered for full hip replacement, a hip osteotomy may be performed. For this procedure, a surgeon cuts and reshapes a bone and repositions the joint to allow for better alignment and function.

Physical therapy is needed after hip reconstructive.

Am I a Candidate For Reconstructive Surgery?

Only your doctor can determine for sure whether or not you are a candidate for reconstructive surgery.

You may be a candidate for reconstructive surgery if you have a structural or functional irregularity that needs to be corrected through surgery. To determine candidacy, your doctor will take a detailed medical history and conduct an examination of the affected area. Your doctor will be able to discuss the treatment options available to you.

Reconstructive Surgery Risks

As with any surgery, reconstructive surgery is not risk free. Some risks that come with any surgery include:

• Risks of anesthesia, including allergic reactions
• Bleeding
• Infection

Other complications may occur with specific procedures. For example, in a procedure that involves grafting tissues from another part of the body, there is a risk of necrosis, or the death of the transplanted tissue. This may require another operation to correct. You should discuss with your doctor the risks and complications that apply to your procedure. Although risks and complications exist, modern reconstructive surgery techniques are safe and effective, and severe complications are not common.

Reconstructive Surgery Results

Reconstructive surgery procedures are performed by skilled surgeons who are qualified in their field. The procedures use cutting-edge technology and surgical techniques. New and innovative techniques are often added to the repertoire of tried-and-true methods.

Reconstructive surgery can often produce effective results, successfully correct anomalies and boost self esteem and confidence. However, having realistic expectations helps to lead to satisfaction with your results. Your doctor can explain the benefits and also the limitations of your reconstructive surgery procedure.