Reconstructive Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer Removal
Surgery is the first choice of skin cancer treatment. After the successful removal of cancerous tumors, reconstructive plastic surgery follows. Recovery is vital to you, and rebuilding is part of that process.
Depending on the surgeon's assessment, reconstructive surgery can be performed immediately after the treatment or later.
The good news is that most reconstructive plastic surgeries don't require a trip to the operating room. You can have it done under local anesthesia.
It's not that intense or invasive and you will recover quickly. Most patients can go back to their daily routine with little difference except for a patch or two.
Read on to learn more about reconstructive plastic surgery after skin cancer removal.
What is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?
Some surgeries can leave scars or cause deformities in the operated area.
It can lead to surgical problems (e.g. if the tumor is near the nose, eyes or ears) or affect the patient psychologically. The aim of reconstructive plastic surgery is to restore these areas in terms of form and function.
The depth of this reconstruction will depend on the location and extent of the surgery to remove skin cancer.
Sometimes it is so easy to direct the healing and allow wounds to contract on their own. Or the surgeon can use skin grafts or rearrange local tissues.
For the most aesthetic result, the surgeon can use a free tissue transfer, which involves removing tissue from removed parts of the body to hide scars along with natural landmarks and existing facial wrinkles.
What types of reconstructive plastic surgery are there?
There are two main types of reconstructive plastic surgery for skin cancer patients:
Skin grafts
Grafts are healthy pieces of skin that are removed from one part of the body so that they can get used to hiding scars or deformities on another part of the body.
In other words, skin grafts are removed from a "donor site" and placed at the "recipient site". This means that after the procedure is complete, two wounds need to be treated.
Skin grafts are used in places that are too tight to make a flap of skin. They are also used to cover larger wounds.
Skin flap
In contrast to skin grafts, skin flaps are partially detached. They have their blood supply or "stalk".
Flaps are chosen based on their resemblance to the recipient site in thickness and appearance. Skin flaps also heal faster than skin grafts.
Recovery from reconstructive plastic surgery
Image credit: Pexels
You are probably wondering what to expect when the process is finally over.
Fortunately, most reconstructive plastic surgery procedures aren't that complicated. The surgery is usually performed by surgeons and dermatologists under local anesthesia. The surgeon will give you clear instructions after the procedure.
It can contain:
- Avoid picking, stretching, or poking the grafts / flaps
- Rest for several days and avoid strenuous activities
- Take sponge baths
- Avoiding certain substances and drugs
Reconstructive plastic surgery is quick and effective
In many cases, skin cancer reconstructive surgery is even performed on the same day as skin cancer growth removal.
Thanks to advances in science and technology in the medical field, this procedure is now only low-risk. You can have it done in a short amount of time and you will be on your way to recovery immediately.
About the author:
Ann Lewis enjoys the art of writing and has experience in various fields of the craft. By mixing information with advice and spontaneous jokes, she writes articles that not only have something to teach but are also easy and easy to read.
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