Reconstructive Facial Surgery

Concern about appearance is normal, acceptable and understandable. What is referred to as positive body image is directly linked to the degree of self-esteem. For those with facial deformities and not wanting to let facial deformity rule life, there are tailor-made and custom-designed solutions. Reconstructive facial surgery opens optimistic avenues.

Here is comprehensive information about reconstructive facial surgery. Reconstructive surgery has a very high success rate. It is indeed possible to bid goodbye to inhibitions and get past a discomforting zone. Facial reconstructive plastic surgery makes possible to restore a normal appearance. Check all about reconstructive facial surgery.

Reconstructive facial surgery

Reconstructive facial surgery is a form of plastic surgery but not a cosmetic surgery. The purpose differs from cosmetic surgery. Unlike cosmetic surgery which is done to enhance appearance, reconstructive facial surgery is done to help a patient with an issue, mostly a medical necessity. But facial reconstructive plastic surgery may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. The cause could be congenital deformities (birth defects) or developmental deformities (result of disease, infection, injury or aging). Irrespective of the cause, it helps restore normal function and appearance.

In all those circumstances where deformities of the skull and face are concerned with the exception of the brain and eyes, reconstructive facial surgery is possible.

Cleft lip and cleft palate repair: Cleft lip and cleft palate are treatable. Usually, a birth defect, it is a result of tissues of the lip and/or palate of the fetus which don't grow together during the early days of pregnancy. Reconstructive surgery can be performed within few months of delivery of the infant. The healthcare provider decides the appropriate time for surgery taking into account the health condition of the child. The goal of the surgery is to correct the defect and significantly improve facial appearance.

Facial paralysis: Damage to the facial nerve can lead to facial paralysis. The affected individual would find it highly difficult to convey facial emotions. It is literally a loss of facial expressions. Speech problems, inability to chew, swallow or drink, eye problems are the various other problems that is related to facial paralysis. Reconstructive facial surgery effectively addresses both the functional and aesthetic issues associated with facial paralysis. The course of treatment is custom-designed taking into account patient's age, health history and the severity of the problem.

Cancer reconstruction: Head, face, ears, neck, hands and arms - these are the common places wherein skin cancer occurs. Basal Cell Cancer, Squamous Cell Cancer and Malignant Melanoma are the common skin cancers that frequently affect the face, head and neck regions. Once the cancerous cells have been removed, reconstructive facial surgery is beneficial. Damaged tissues are repaired, form and function are restored.

Accidents/injuries: It could be due to an accident, a sporting injury, result of domestic violence or a traumatic accident. Depending on the type of injury like facial bone breaks, nose bone break, jawbone, cheekbone, brow injury, chin injury or skin cuts, reconstructive facial surgery can be done even for loss of a body part, to help camouflage scars, restore all functional aspects and also enhance overall appearance. In fact, the current innovation in facial reconstructive surgery makes possible for a person to have a new face. A face disfigured as a result of severe burns, gun shots, or a traumatic/freak accident can be fully replaced through facial transplant.

Facial Scars: Scars on the face could be due to cuts, injuries, wounds, or even acne marks. Reconstructive facial surgery is done taking into account the extent of scarring, the depth of the wound, the skin color etc. Specific cases where the scars cannot be removed completely, it can be flattened, straightened so that it is least visible.

Microtia repair: More congenital in nature, a microtia repair is required when a child is born with no ear or a rudimentary one. The child may suffer from hearing loss too. Microtia repairs are commenced when the child is six years old. Microtia repair falls under reconstructive surgery and aims to reconstruct an ear close to the natural shape, size and position as possible.