View source for Reconstructive surgery

{{Short description|Surgery to restore form and function}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2011
|Name = Reconstructive surgery
|Image = US Navy 110420-N-UB993-105 Capt. Craig Salt, a plastic surgeon assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego, performs a skin graft as part of the Pro.jpg
|Caption = Skin grafting: an example of reconstructive procedure.}}

[[File:US Navy 090704-A-0566T-023 Operation Smile staff member is Dr. Hal Rosenfeild begins reconstructive surgery for a cleft lip on a three-month-old infant aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20).jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|US Navy 090704-A-0566T-023 Operation Smile staff member Dr. Hal Rosenfeild begins reconstructive surgery for a cleft lip on a three-month-old infant aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20)]]

'''Reconstructive surgery''' is [[surgery]] performed to restore normal appearance and function to body parts malformed by a disease or medical condition.

== Description ==
Reconstructive surgery is a term with training, clinical, and reimbursement implications. It has historically been referred to as synonymous with [[plastic surgery]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22definition+of+plastic+surgery%22|title="definition of plastic surgery" - Search Results - PubMed|website=PubMed|access-date=2018-12-17|archive-date=2024-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712172653/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22definition+of+plastic+surgery%22|url-status=live}}</ref> In regard to training, [[plastic surgery]] is a recognized medical specialty and a surgeon can be a "board-certified" plastic surgeon by the [[American Board of Plastic Surgery]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/publications/plastic-surgery-clinical-privileges?sub=Certification|title=Certification &#124; Plastic Surgery Clinical Privileges|website=American Society of Plastic Surgeons|access-date=2020-07-08|archive-date=2020-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708085139/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/publications/plastic-surgery-clinical-privileges?sub=Certification|url-status=live}}</ref> However, reconstructive surgery is not a specialty and there are no board-certified reconstructive surgeons.

More accurately, reconstructive surgery should be contrasted with [[cosmetic surgery]]. Reconstructive surgery is performed to

# Improve/restore to normal function.
# Restore to a normal appearance of "abnormal" or "malformed" body parts caused by the disease or condition and/or 
# Improve the patient's quality of life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jfa/policies/coverage-articles/cosmetic-vs-reconstructive|title=Cosmetic vs Reconstructive Surgery - JF Part A - Noridian|access-date=2020-07-08|archive-date=2020-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709095801/https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jfa/policies/coverage-articles/cosmetic-vs-reconstructive|url-status=live}}</ref>

Separately, the patient must be healthy enough so that the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks of complications or death. A procedure could be considered reconstructive but not medically necessary due to the risk to the patient.

In addition, Section 1862(a) (1) (A) of the Social Security Act directs the following:
"No payment may be made under Part A or Part B for any expenses incurred for items or services not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1862.htm|title=Exclusions from coverage and Medicare as secondary payer|first=ORDP|last=SSA|website=www.ssa.gov|access-date=2024-07-02|archive-date=2024-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130134827/https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1862.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Therefore, outside clinical interpretation and carrier guidelines, there is a federal statute that "improving functionality and restoring appearance" are covered as reconstructive and medically necessary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medicare Benefit Policy Manual |url=https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/bp102c16.pdf |access-date=12 July 2024 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307164315/https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/bp102c16.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

This definition is contrasted with cosmetic surgery performed to improve aesthetics or the appearance of a body part.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/|title = Cosmetic Procedures}}</ref> A plastic surgeon can perform both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. Some procedures, such as a panniculectomy (aka tummy tuck) can be considered as cosmetic by one insurance company and reconstructive by another. The surgeon may not be using the Medicare or reimbursement criteria when referring to a procedure as reconstructive or cosmetic. Plastic surgeons, [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery|maxillo-facial surgeons]] and [[Otorhinolaryngology|otolaryngologists]] do reconstructive surgery on faces to correct congenital defects, after trauma and to reconstruct the head and neck after cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures|title=Reconstructive procedures|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=2019-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206202619/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another good example is repair of a cleft palate, or cheiloplasty, which surgically corrects abnormal development, restores function to the lips and mouth and produces a more normal appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/cleft-lip-and-palate-repair#:~:text=Surgery%20to%20repair%20a%20cleft%20of%20the%20lip,lip%20to%20create%20a%20more%20normal%20appearance%2C%20namely%3A|title=Cleft Lip and Palate Repair|access-date=2020-07-08|archive-date=2020-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071434/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/cleft-lip-and-palate-repair#:~:text=Surgery%20to%20repair%20a%20cleft%20of%20the%20lip,lip%20to%20create%20a%20more%20normal%20appearance%2C%20namely%3A|url-status=live}}</ref> This meets the definition of reconstructive surgery and is mandated by state laws in at least 31 states, but could be denied as cosmetic by individual insurance companies in the remaining  states.<ref>Wanchek T, Wehby G. State-Mandated Coverage of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Treatment. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2020;57(6):773-777. doi:10.1177/1055665620910529</ref>

Other branches of surgery (''e.g.'', [[general surgery]], [[gynecological surgery]], [[pediatric surgery]], [[plastic surgery]], [[Podiatry|podiatric surgery]]) also perform some reconstructive procedures.

Reconstructive surgery represents a small but critical component of the comprehensive care of cancer patients. Its primary role in the treatment of cancer patients is to extend the ability of other surgeons and specialists to more radically treat cancer, offering patients the best opportunity for cure.<ref>Hasen K.V., Few J.W., Fine N.A., (2002), ''Plastic surgery: a component in the comprehensive care of cancer patients''. ''[[Oncology (journal)|Oncology]]'' '''16'''(12). p. 1685-98. {{PMID|12520643}}.</ref>

Reconstructive surgeons use the concept of a ''[[reconstructive ladder]]'' to manage increasingly complex wounds. This ranges from very simple techniques such as primary closure and dressings to more complex skin grafts, tissue expansion, and free flaps.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

Reconstructive surgery procedures include breast implant removal, reduction mammoplasty, breast reconstruction, surgical correction of birth anomalies, congenital nevi surgery, and liposuction for [[lipedema]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures|title=Reconstructive Procedures|access-date=2018-01-04|archive-date=2019-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206202619/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="j033">{{cite web | title=ANC.00009 | website=Anthem | date=2024-04-29 | url=https://www.anthem.com/dam/medpolicies/abc/active/policies/mp_pw_a050277.html | access-date=2024-07-12 | archive-date=2020-10-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028062137/https://www.anthem.com/dam/medpolicies/abc/active/policies/mp_pw_a050277.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
Cosmetic surgery procedures include [[breast enhancement]], reduction and lift, [[face lift]], [[forehead lift]], upper and lower eyelid surgery ([[blepharoplasty]]), laser skin resurfacing ([[laser resurfacing]]), [[chemical peel]], nose reshaping ([[rhinoplasty]]), reconstruction [[liposuction]], [[Nasal reconstruction using a paramedian forehead flap]], as well as [[tummy tuck]] ([[abdominoplasty]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/page/ProcedureList | title=Choosing the Right Procedure - American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery | access-date=2020-07-08 | archive-date=2020-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509181651/https://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/page/ProcedureList | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery===
'''Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery''' ('''FPRS''') is a surgical subspecialty focused on improving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the face, head, and neck.<ref name="p147">{{cite book | last1=Wong | first1=Brian J.-F. | last2=Arnold | first2=Michelle G. | last3=Boeckmann | first3=Jacob O. | title=Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Comprehensive Study Guide | publisher=Springer Nature | date=2020-10-24 | isbn=978-3-030-45920-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nfcEEAAAQBAJ&dq=Facial+plastic+and+reconstructive+surgery&pg=PR6 | access-date=2025-04-25 | page=}}</ref>

==Use of implants and biomaterials==
Recent literature in [[medline]] also has noted implementation of [[barbed suture]] in these procedures.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Hammond DC|title=Barbed sutures in plastic surgery: a personal experience|journal=[[Aesthetic Surgery Journal]]|volume=33|issue=3 Suppl|pages=32S–9S|doi=10.1177/1090820X13499578|pmid=24084877|year=2013|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Biomaterials are, in their simplest form, plastic implants used to correct or replace damaged body parts. Biomaterials were not used for reconstructive purposes until after [[World War II]] due to the new and improved technology and the tremendous need for the correction of damaged body parts that could replace [[Organ transplantation|transplantation]]. The process involves scientific and medical research to ensure that the biomaterials are [[Biocompatibility|biocompatible]] and that they can assume the mechanical and functioning roles of the components they are replacing.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

A successful implantation can best be achieved by a team that understands not only the [[Anatomy|anatomical]], [[Physiology|physiological]], [[Biochemistry|biochemical]], and [[Pathology|pathological]] aspects of the problem, but also comprehends [[Biological engineering|bioengineering]]. Cellular and tissue engineering is crucial to know for reconstructive procedures.<ref>Sarah Al-Himdani, et al. {{cite journal|title=Tissue-Engineered Solutions in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Principles and Practice|year=2017|volume=4|issue=4|doi=10.3389/fsurg.2017.00004|pmc=5322281|pmid=28280722|last1=Al-Himdani|first1=Sarah|last2=Jessop|first2=Zita M.|last3=Al-Sabah|first3=Ayesha|last4=Combellack|first4=Emman|last5=Ibrahim|first5=Amel|last6=Doak|first6=Shareen H.|last7=Hart|first7=Andrew M.|last8=Archer|first8=Charles W.|last9=Thornton|first9=Catherine A.|last10=Whitaker|first10=Iain S.|journal=Frontiers in Surgery|pages=4|doi-access=free}}</ref>

An overview of the standardization and control of [[Biomedicine|biomedical]] devices has recently been gathered by D. G. Singleton. Papers have covered in depth the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) Premarket Approval Process (J. L. Ely) and FDA regulations governing Class III devices. Two papers have described how the [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]], [[American Dental Association]], [[National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research]], and private dental companies have collaborated in a number of important advances in dental materials, devices, and analytical systems.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

==References==
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[[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]
[[Category:Plastic surgery]]