What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery performs the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, cranio and maxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia according to the American College of Surgeons (ACS, 2022). It employs aesthetic surgical principles to improve (1) undesirable qualities of normal structures and (2) reconstructive procedures.
Knowledge and skill needed for plastic surgery
- Special knowledge and skill in the design and surgery of grafts, flaps, free tissue transfer and replantation.
- Competence in the management of complex wounds, the use of implantable materials, and tumor surgery.
- Skill in the development of innovative techniques, such as microvascular and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, liposuction, and tissue transfer.
- The foundation of surgical anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other basic sciences is fundamental to this specialty.
- A special combination of basic knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise, ethics, and interpersonal skills in order to achieve satisfactory patient relationships and problem resolution.
Reference
American College of Surgeons (ACS), 2022. Plastic Surgery. Last accessed on 13/11/2022. https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/education/programs/so-you-want-to-be-a-surgeon/section-iii-surgical-specialties/plastic-surgery/