Plastic Surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of
physical defects of form or function involving the skin,
musculoskeletal system, cranio-maxillofacial structures, hand,
extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia. It uses aesthetic
surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal
structures but in all reconstructive procedures as well.
Special knowledge and skill in the design and surgery of grafts,
flaps, free tissue transfer and replantation is necessary. Competence in
the management of complex wounds, the use of implantable materials, and
in tumor surgery is required. Plastic Surgery has been prominent 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.
Competency
in plastic surgery implies a special combination of basic knowledge,
surgical judgment, technical expertise, ethics, and interpersonal skills
in order to achieve satisfactory patient relationships and problem
resolution.