Regardless of how it happens, a car crash, physical violence, or a life-threatening incident, severe trauma can occur in the blink of an eye. After the initial life-saving treatment, there may still be a long road of recovery to manage. Disfigurement, scarring, loss of physical looks, and function are some key elements patients may have to face after a traumatic medical crisis. At Complete Injury Management, we have a network of dedicated specialists in plastic surgery that work daily with patients to find relief and recovery.
What Does a Plastic Surgeon Do?
Plastic surgeons work to repair or reconstruct most parts of the human body except the central nervous system. In their daily practice, they see patients, discuss and diagnose issues and routinely perform necessary operations and monitor their patients’ subsequent recovery. They usually work in clinics, offices, or hospitals.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Following Trauma or Accident
Nearly one million reconstructive surgery procedures are performed each year. Plastic and reconstructive surgery plays a significant role in trauma services. Especially in the reconstruction of the head, neck, limbs, and trunk when there is structural body damage or loss of tissue due to an injury, accident, trauma, or violent encounter. Examples of trauma that would fall into this category for treatment would be:
- Auto accidents
- Firearm injury
- Machine injury
- Crush injury
- Assault
- Human bites
- Animal bites
- Sports injuries
Other reconstructive procedures of plastic surgery specialists can include:
- General plastic surgery
- Scar revision
- Cleft lip & palate repair
- Reconstructive surgery for tumors
- Advanced hand surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Maxillofacial trauma
What is Trauma Plastic Surgery?
While reconstructive surgery is generally performed to improve a person’s facial and body functions, it is also used to help an individual recover from an accident or trauma by repairing or enhancing the face and body structures. Trauma management procedures in plastic surgery can range from surgical wound closure to reconstruction/replacement of physical defects that affect the body’s form and function. In most cases, this can involve working with skin, the musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, extremities, breast, trunk, and external genitalia.
What Happens After Reconstructive Surgery?
After your successful procedure, your doctor will provide you with an after-care plan and schedule routine checkups. Rest, nutrition, and working the plan provided are essential in aiding the recovery process.
The after-care plan can include:
- How to care for the surgical site(s)
- Procedure specific concerns to be aware of
- Medication regime and instructions
- Follow up visits & scheduling
At Complete Injury Management, we hope you or your clients never experience an injury or trauma requiring this type of care. But if the unfortunate circumstance arises, we have access to a referral network of highly skilled physicians and medical professionals dedicated to helping their patients find recovery.
Contact us today to find a provider. If you’re looking for a second opinion, we’re here to help you find the information necessary to make an informed decision about your health care options.