Modern surgical technology makes it possible to construct a natural-looking breast after mastectomy (breast removal) for cancer or other diseases. The procedure is commonly begun and sometimes completed immediately following mastectomy, so that the patient wakes with a new breast mound. Alternatively, reconstruction may begin years after mastectomy. There are several ways to reconstruct the breast, both with and without implants; your surgeon will work together with you in deciding which is best for you. Breast reconstruction does not affect the recurrence of cancer, does not cause any other diseases, and does not affect chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Surgery to repair cleft lip and/or cleft palate in infants can correct nursing, feeding and speech problems, frequent ear infections and physical disfigurement with dramatic aesthetic and functional results. The cleft lip procedure is usually performed at 6-12 weeks of age, while cleft palate surgery is performed between the ages of nine months and one year (after the palate has grown but before faulty speech habits are acquired). While the infant sleeps under general anesthesia, the cleft is closed with absorbable stitches. The skin is then sewn over the correction with fine sutures to minimize scarring. Speech therapy may be required for children with residual muscle problems resulting from cleft palate.
When breasts are severely asymmetrical, they may require augmentation and a breast lift to create an even shape. Extra breast tissue or accessory nipples can both be surgically removed through simple, minimally invasive procedures.
To treat underdeveloped breast tissue, your surgeon can add implants to structure and shape the breasts. In cases where there is not enough tissue to cover the implant, a soft tissue expander may be utilized to stretch the skin in order to form a covering.
When the muscle is underdeveloped or missing, a flap may be created in which muscle from another part of the body is transferred to fill in the space and support the chest.
Chest wall reconstruction may be used to correct issues such as tumor resection in the region, post-breast cancer reconstruction and the defects in musculature caused by Poland's syndrome. The procedure entails the creation of flaps using nearby skin to support the reconstruction. If the affected area is larger, skin and muscle may need to be transferred from other locations on the body. Microsurgical techniques are employed to connect the blood vessels to the skin flap, which establishes blood flow.
Chest wall reconstruction can achieve multiple purposes, including the removal of unhealthy tissue from the chest wall, elimination of dead space, providing stability and structure to the chest wall, and obtaining aesthetic improvements.
An abdominal hernia involves an organ protruding through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, causing a bulge in the area, pain, fever and blood in the stool. If left untreated, the protruding tissue may become obstructed, resulting in health problems as serious as gangrene.
Treatment for an abdominal hernia usually involves surgery to restore the protruding tissue to its original location and strengthen the weakened area of the wall with stitching or synthetic mesh. The goal is to repair the abdominal wall so that another hernia will not form. This procedure can be performed traditionally or laparoscopically, which offers patients smaller incisions, shorter recovery times and less scarring and bleeding.
Extremity traumas take place when there is a penetrating injury that affects the vasculature, such as from a handgun, knife wound or motor vehicle accident. They can be diagnosed by a doctor noting lack of pulse in the extremity or difference in pulse between the opposite extremities, as well as changes in color or temperature and poor neurological responses.
When the limb is deemed salvageable, the emphasis is placed on providing a good functional outcome. Tissue will frequently be transferred from another part of the body to help restore both the form and the function of the extremity involved.
Skin cancer is unfortunately a growing disease, with over a million new cases reported each year. While it can be fatal, many cases, especially those detected early, can be treated effectively. But after skin cancer is removed, it can leave behind unsightly scars or deformities.
Now, the remaining traces of skin cancer can be repaired through skin cancer reconstructive surgery. The cosmetic surgery to repair skin to its original state depends on the severity of the skin cancer and the type of procedure used to remove it. Reconstructive surgery can also be combined with a face or brow lift for maximum renewal. You don't have to live with a daily reminder of skin cancer anymore.
A pressure sore is an area of skin that has broken down due to constant weight placed against it. The sore forms because blood supply to the spot has been reduced, usually when you are confined to bed, even for a short time. In later stages, damage takes place to tissue beneath the skin, sometimes as deep as muscles, bones or joints, and may require surgery.
Pressure sore surgery starts with debridement, the removal of any dead tissue. It generally requires flap reconstruction, in which the patient's skin from another part of the body is used to fill in the space left from the pressure sore.
