BURN
RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY
What is Burn
Surgery Reconstruction?
Burns are the most painful and devastating injury that could affect any
person. Wounds from burn injury usually results to a nasty and
permanent scar. Most burn victims want the same things—the
complete healing of their burns and the freedom from scars and pain.
Bottom line, these patients want to have their life back and be normal
again.
Reconstructive Burn Surgery
can be the start of this healing and recovery process.
The
Reconstructive Burn Surgery restoration process
consists of three stages—recovery,
reconstruction,
and rehabilitation. Recovery
involves not only the physical side of it but also the emotional
aspect. Many burn patients also need to recover from posttraumatic
stress syndrome. Reconstruction involves the rebuilding of both the
form and function of the patients’ tissues. Restoration
involves making the patient whole again not just physically but also
spiritually and emotionally.
Risks on
Burn Reconstruction Surgery
Common to any surgery, complications can also occur in Burn Reconstruction.
Individuals differ in their anatomy and healing ability, and the
outcome is not predictable. Some of the complications include excessive
bleeding, infection, significant bruising, wound-healing difficulties,
and problems related to anesthesia and surgery.
Frequently
Asked Questions on Burn Reconstruction
Question:
How do
surgeons decide what type of surgery to use?
Your plastic surgeon is guided by a set of rules known as the
“reconstructive ladder”. At the lower part of the
ladder are the least-complex types of treatments such as simple wound
closure. Highly complex procedures such as micro-surgery are located at
one of the ladder's highest levels. Your surgeon will always begin at
the bottom of the reconstructive
ladder in deciding how to
proceed with your treatment.
Question:
How
soon will I recover after Burn
Reconstruction?
A: The type and extent of the surgery will determine your rate of
recovery. The recovery time is mainly dependent on the length
of time necessary for the skin to heal up to the time when the sutures
are removed. Sutures are removed after a week. Small
residual wounds may require dressings that will last for three weeks
after the operation. Most patients return to normal activity
after one month.
Question:
Do I
need to wear face masks and splints after Burn
Reconstruction Surgery?
These all
depend on the type of operation performed and the anatomic site for
it. However, compression garments and face masks are usually
used when optimal postoperative scars are of foremost importance.
Splinting is common in the release of the burn scar contractures.
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