Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that involves correcting either the form or function of select parts of the body. While most people think that plastic surgery is primarily for cosmetic purposes, this application has only gained in popularity over the past few decades.
Reconstructive plastic surgery, however, has been in practice since the 19th century. Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct damage caused by:
- burns
- traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures
- congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip, or cleft palate
- developmental abnormalities
- infection or disease
- removal of cancers or tumors (i.e. mastectomy for a breast cancer)