Tissue reconstruction is a surgical procedure where a plastic surgeon uses tissue from another part of your body (the donor site) to rebuild or reshape a damaged or missing area. It is often performed after events like cancer surgery, trauma, or to correct congenital defects.
Here's a breakdown of what that entails:
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Purpose: To restore form and function to an area of the body where tissue is damaged or missing. This can improve appearance, comfort, and quality of life.
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The "Flap" Procedure: Tissue reconstruction is frequently referred to as a "flap" procedure, particularly in cases like breast reconstruction.
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Donor Site: The tissue used for reconstruction is taken from a "donor site" on the patient's own body. Common donor sites include the abdomen, back, thighs, or buttocks.
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Types of Tissue: The tissue moved can include skin, fat, muscle, and sometimes even bone and blood vessels.
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Examples:
- Breast Reconstruction: Rebuilding a breast after a mastectomy using tissue from the abdomen (a TRAM flap or DIEP flap), back (a latissimus dorsi flap), or thigh.
- Head and Neck Reconstruction: Repairing defects caused by cancer surgery using tissue from the forearm or leg.
- Reconstruction after Trauma: Repairing soft tissue damage caused by accidents or injuries.
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Why Use Your Own Tissue? Using the patient's own tissue minimizes the risk of rejection and often provides a more natural-looking and feeling result compared to using artificial implants.
In summary, tissue reconstruction involves transplanting healthy tissue from one part of the body to another to repair or rebuild areas affected by damage or disease.
