Facial burn reconstruction
Facial burn reconstruction is a specialized area within plastic surgery that focuses on restoring form, function, and aesthetics to the face following burn injuries. The severity and extent of the burn will determine the specific approach and techniques used by the plastic surgeon.
Here are some common aspects of facial burn reconstruction:
Wound Healing and Management: Initially, the plastic surgeon will focus on wound healing and management. This may involve debridement of damaged tissue, cleaning the wound, and applying dressings or topical treatments to promote healing and prevent infection.
Skin Grafting: Skin grafting is a common technique used in facial burn reconstruction. It involves taking a piece of skin, either from another part of the patient’s body (autograft) or from a donor source (allograft or xenograft), and surgically placing it onto the burned area of the face. Skin grafts help to cover the burn wound, improve healing, and restore the skin’s appearance.
Tissue Expansion: In cases where a large area of the face has been affected by burns, tissue expansion may be utilized. This technique involves the placement of a tissue expander beneath healthy skin adjacent to the burn site. Over time, the expander is gradually filled with saline to stretch the skin and create excess tissue that can be used to reconstruct the burned area.
Flap Reconstruction: Flap reconstruction involves using nearby healthy tissue, along with its blood supply, to reconstruct the burned area. The plastic surgeon may perform local flaps, regional flaps, or microvascular free tissue transfer to replace damaged tissue and restore the natural contours of the face.
Scar Revision: Once the initial wound has healed and the reconstruction is complete, the plastic surgeon may perform scar revision procedures to improve the appearance of scars resulting from the burn. This may include techniques such as scar excision, laser therapy, or corticosteroid injections to minimize scar visibility and optimize cosmetic outcomes.
Throughout the process of facial burn reconstruction, plastic surgeons work closely with burn care specialists, including burn surgeons and therapists, to provide comprehensive care. They consider both functional and aesthetic factors to restore the patient’s facial appearance, preserve facial symmetry, and optimize functionality such as facial expression and movement.
It is important to note that facial burn reconstruction is a complex and individualized process. The specific techniques used and the sequence of treatments will depend on the unique characteristics of the burn injury and the patient’s overall condition. Plastic surgeons with expertise in burn reconstruction can assess the burn injury, develop a personalized treatment plan, and guide the patient through the process of recovery to achieve the best possible functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Facial burn reconstruction Treatment – Frequently Asked Questions
Some skin-friendly food choices include: Whole grains, Legumes, Unprocessed fruits like apricots, blueberries, tomatoes and red grapes. Unprocessed vegetables like carrots, avocado, sweet potato, beetroot, spinach and other dark green and leafy vegetables, Food containing mineral zinc, vitamins A and E and chemicals called antioxidants. Quinoa, Turkey, Fish, Oat milk, Pumpkin seeds.
Some scarring may heal, depending on the severity. There are three types of scarring, ice pick scars (small deep holes), rolling scars (uneven skin) and boxcar scars (craters in the skin). Find out more about our treatment of acne scarring. At Delight Clinic we work with the highest grade lasers to offer effective treatment of acne scars and your doctor may recommend Micro needling or Laser Resurfacing.