Flap Surgery: Part One

Flap Surgery

Flap surgery is a technique used in reconstruction concerning any type of tissue that is lifted from a donor site to be moved to a recipient site. Blood supplies must be intact. This may seem similar to a skin graft. A graft does not have an intact blood supply at the recipient site. A graft therefore relies on growth of new blood vessels. Flap surgery is done to repair or fill a defect or wound from injury or prior surgery. When the remaining tissue is unable to support a graft, or rebuild more complex anatomic structures such as breast or jaw, flap surgery is implemented.

Level of complexity is one way of classifying flaps. Surgeon should choose the least complex flap that will still achieve the desired effect. This concept is known as the reconstructive ladder.

Freeing a layer of tissue and then stretching this layer to fill a defect creates what is called a local flap . This least complex type of flap includes advancement, rotation, and transposition flaps.

Advancement flaps are formed by incisions extended parallel from the wound. This creates a rectangle leaving one edge intact. The rectangle is freed from deeper tissues and stretched forward to cover the wound in a process called advancement. With the flap disconnected from the body except for the uncut edge, blood supply feeds in horizontally.

Creating a rotation flap is similar to advancement except that instead of being stretched in a straight line, the flap is arced.

Finally, the more complex transposition flap rotates adjacent tissue. This results in the creation of a new defect. Further reconstructive surgery must then be performed in order to close this new wound.

The Technical Side of Augmentation

bikini after surgery with plastic surgeons las vegasBreast augmentation and augmentation mammoplasty are plastic surgery terms for breast-implant and fat-graft mammoplasty methods used to increase size, change shape, or alter texture of female breasts.

In terms of reconstruction, augmentation can be for post mastectomy breast reconstruction, repairing the chest wound due to removal of a cancerous breast. It can also be done in order to correct congenital defects of the breast(s) or chest wall.

As an elective cosmetic surgery, primary augmentation changes the aesthetic, size, shape, and texture, of healthy breasts.

Surgical implantation affects global augmentation of the breast hemisphere using implants. Implants can be filled with saline-solution or silicone-gel. Surgical augmentation can include transplanted autologous skin flaps harvested from the body. Fat-graft transfer augments size and corrects contour defects with grafts of autologous adipocyte fat tissue, drawn from the body.

Cosmetic vs Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgery

Tools for cosmetic surgery in Las Vegas

 

What is the difference?

Cosmetic surgery is a unique discipline of medicine that focuses on enhancing the appearance by means of surgical and medical techniques. This type of surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Due to the nature of treated areas being worked on function properly and are without ailment but lack aesthetic appeal, cosmetic surgery is considered an elective form of surgery.

Plastic surgery on the other hand, is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects. This defects may be due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is therefore considered reconstructive in nature.

Understanding the difference between “cosmetic vs plastic surgery” is important when considering entering into a procedure. Always keep in mind that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are not the same thing. Cosmetic surgery procedures are performed to enhance a person’s appearance toward some aesthetic ideal. Cosmetic surgery is practiced by doctors from a variety of medical fields including dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, general surgeons, gynecologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, as well as doctors from other fields.

Unlike procedures performed in cosmetic surgery, those in plastic surgery focus on repairing and reconstructing abnormal structures of the body caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease.

As you can see, there is a big difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Tips for Finding the Right Healthcare Provider

Finding the Right Healthcare Provider

You would not shop for the right health care provider based on price, you definitely should not be aiming for one who is going to charge you with the lowest rate. Instead, consider his qualifications, his expertise, his experience, his credentials so you know that he will do a fine job assisting you. If you are looking for credible surgeons begin by asking for recommendations from individuals whose opinions you trust. Here is are some other helpful tips.

Go Abroad

Be wary. Many are tempted by the price offered abroad as they can be considerably lower, but you may be giving up many rights once on foreign soil.

Budget

Consider how much you are willing to, and able to, afford. Stick to numbers easy for you to cover. Only spend within your means. Procedures are expensive, but many can be within your budget.

Consultation

Always ask for a consultation. During a consultation is a good time to ask important questions and discuss your personal needs.

Medical Assessments

Before undergoing any surgery, proper assessments must be done. Always have a complete physical done as well as making note of any medical issues.

Ask for Credentials

Where did this provider study? Where did this provider intern? What papers, certifications can be provided? Is the provider licensed? Board certified in your state? How many years has this provider been in practice?

Whatever type of surgery or procedure you are going in for, always be aware of the risks involved. Also take time to consider your recovery period and any needs you may have after the procedure is complete.