Reconstructive surgery is a sub-branch of plastic surgery that aims at restoring the body’s functions and normalising its appearances that are affected by trauma, birth defects, abnormalities, tumours, or chronic diseases. For those who have gone through such mishaps, standard cosmetic treatments may not fulfil their hopes of transformation. Therefore, the best alternative for them is reconstructive surgery.

What is the Aim of Reconstructive Surgeries?

The primary aim of reconstructive surgeries is to revitalise an affected body part’s functions and make its appearance closer to natural again. For example, suppose a woman undergoes a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of one or both breasts either partially or entirely. In that case, she may choose to have breast reconstruction rather than cosmetic surgery. It is because the primary goal is to restore a more natural appearance and symmetry to the body following the removal of breast tissue due to cancer or another disease.

Types of Reconstructive Surgeries

There are numerous reconstructive surgeries in Dubai, with the most common ones including:

Face Reconstruction

Face reconstruction involves a myriad of procedures, from simple skin grafts to complex free flaps. It is tailored to the specific defect, whether due to trauma, cancer resections, infections, or congenital conditions.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)

Breast reduction involves the removal of excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. The nipple and areola are often repositioned higher on the chest, and the remaining breast tissue is reshaped to form a smaller, more uplifted breast. This procedure can alleviate symptoms like back pain, neck pain, and skin irritations caused by disproportionately large breasts.

Nipple and Areola Reconstruction

This procedure is done often months after the initial reconstruction. Nipple and areola reconstruction procedure involves creating a new nipple using surrounding tissue and tattooing to replicate the areola’s appearance.

Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

This is a complex procedure aiming to restore the structural and functional integrity of the abdominal wall. It is often required after hernias, tumours, or traumatic injuries. Mesh, either synthetic or biological, can be used to reinforce the abdominal wall, and various flap techniques can help to close large defects.

Chest Wall Reconstruction

Chest wall reconstruction is essential after resection of tumours or for congenital deformities. This procedure may involve prosthetic materials and muscle flaps to provide coverage and support.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

When it comes to reconstructing your breast, there are two treatment options:

Implant-Based Reconstruction

This involves using saline or silicone gel-filled implants to recreate the breast shape. The process might require a tissue expander to stretch the skin and create space for the implant.

Autologous (or Flap) Reconstruction

This method utilises tissue taken from another part of the patient’s own body, such as the abdomen, back, thighs, or buttocks, to create a new breast mound.

Limb Reconstruction:

Limb reconstruction is a set of procedures aimed at restoring or repairing damaged limb parts. The procedures include:

Bone Lengthening

It involves the gradual stretching of bone using external fixators. It’s commonly used for limb length discrepancies.

Bone Transport

Bone transport addresses bone defects by cutting the bone and gradually moving (or “transporting”) the bone segments across the defect, allowing new bone to form in the gap.

Flap Reconstruction

In cases of open fractures or infections with significant skin and tissue loss, a flap (which is a piece of tissue still attached to its blood supply) is used to cover the defect and promote healing.