Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a specialized branch of surgery concerned with the repair of deformities and the correction of functional deficits. It is derived from the Greek word “Plastikos” meaning fit for molding. While plastic surgery is largely concerned with form, as is implied in the word “plastic”, the functional aspects are equally important. Plastic surgery can be broadly divided into the cosmetic (aesthetic) field and the reconstructive field. There is considerable overlap between the two areas. For example, reconstructing a patient who has had a tumour removed from the head and neck or breast has both a cosmetic and functional side to it. The basis of good cosmetic surgery is a grounding in good reconstructive surgery.