Facial Reconstruction Following Burns
Facial Reconstruction Following Burns
Scarring and facial damage caused by burns or trauma can benefit from reconstructive surgery in the form of skin grafts, skin flaps of tissue combined with skin, cartilage and bone grafts. Typical examples include the reconstruction of parts of the ear and nose.
Why You Might Need Facial Reconstruction
Burns to the face can leave terrible scarring, and result in reduced functionality to the face. If you suffer from limited movement, pain or low self-confidence; facial reconstruction is for you.
What Does Facial Reconstruction Involve?
The operation will involve the surgeon taking a skin graft in order to reconstruct the face. Flaps of skin can be grafted from a variety of areas on the body, such as the buttock (SCAP flap), inner thigh (TUG) and upper arm.
The length of surgery depends on the severity of the burns, ranging anywhere between four and twelve hours to complete. Some effects of the surgery can include loss of feeling and numbness, although the results will look and feel natural from an aesthetic point of view.
Recovery After Surgery
Following surgery, it is common to spend two days in intensive care and up to a week in the hospital. Due to swelling of the face, airways can become blocked, which may require a temporary tracheotomy (a small hole in the neck with an endotracheal tube placed in the airway) to allow you to breathe for a few weeks.
A full recovery can take six weeks, while you should not participate in any form of contact sports for between two and six months following surgery.
Consultants that perform this procedure
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