Plastic Surgery is a fascinating term in today’s world hiked by media, magazines and films. The common men also think some aspects of this superspeciality which are not correct.
- It has originated in western world.
- Plastic Surgery often thought synonymous with cosmetic surgery.
- It is also felt that it is very expensive.
- There is no emergency in Plastic Surgery unit.
- It can be performed with preliminary basic technique.
To respond to these thoughts, I would like to clarify as follows :
- It originated in India and Sushruta (600 B.C.) is acclaimed as Father of Plastic Surgery all over the world.
- Cosmetic surgery constitutes only ten percent of Plastic Surgery.
- It does not cost extra and is comparable with other surgical procedures.
- Plastic surgeons deal emergency cases from head to toe including Burns.
- Specific intensive training and knowledge is necessary to deal with variety of Plastic Surgery procedures.
We operate from head to toe, therefore there is no monotonicity. With the advancement of technology and knowledge twelve subspecialties have emerged and no one person can perform everything.
- Congenital Anomalies: Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, deformities of hand, feet, nose, ear, etc.
- Post infective problems: Large defects following infection and lymphoedema causing disability.
- Post traumatic defects: Reconstruction after road traffic, industrial, factory and sharp object injuries.
- Onchological operations: Reconstruction after cancer surgery to restore function and appearance.
- Burns and its Sequelae: Treatment of thermal, electrical, chemical and accidental burns.
- Microsurgical tissue transfer: Tissue transfer, reimplantation and delicate reconstructive procedures.
- Aesthetic Surgery: Cosmetic procedures for face, nose, jaw, hair restoration, liposuction and body contouring.
Thus Plastic Surgery is a very wide specialty and there should be proper information and understanding in the public regarding the indications and usefulness of this important branch of surgery.
