Division of Plastic Surgery

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic Surgery Techniques

Surgical techniques used in plastic surgery:

There are many different techniques used to perform cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, including:

endoscopic surgery
Endoscopic surgery is performed with an endoscope, a tubular probe that has a tiny camera and a bright light, which is inserted into a small incision. Images from the camera are transmitted back to a screen, which the surgeon watches while manipulating the endoscope inside the body. The endoscope is a device to assist the surgeon during surgical procedures. Instruments to actually perform the surgery are inserted through different incision(s).
flap surgery
Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another -- often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. There are several different types of flap surgery methods that may be utilized, depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired. The types include:
- local flap - is located next to the wound; the skin remains attached at one end in order that the blood supply is left intact.
- regional flap - uses a section of tissue that is attached by a specific blood vessel.
- bone/soft tissue flap - this type of flap is often used when bone and the overlying skin are transported to a new location.
- musculocutaneous flap (muscle and skin flap) - this type of flap is often used when the area to be covered needs more bulk and an increased blood supply. This type of flap is often used to rebuild a breast following a mastectomy.
- microvascular free flap - involves detaching and reattaching skin and blood vessels from one site of the body to another site. Microsurgery is used to attach the blood vessels.
laser technology
Lasers used in plastic surgery often provide for minimal bleeding, bruising, and scarring. There are many different types of lasers that may be utilized, depending upon the purpose and location of the surgery to be performed. Consult your plastic surgeon to determine if laser surgery, and which type is most appropriate for you.
skin grafts
A skin graft may be used to cover skin that has been damaged and/or is missing. This surgical procedure involves removing healthy portions of skin from one part of the body to restore normal appearance and/or function to another portion of the same body. The place where the skin is removed is called the donor site. There are three different types of skin grafts that may be utilized, depending upon the size and location of needed skin. These include:
1. Split-thickness skin graft
  - commonly used to treat burn wounds
  - uses only the layers of skin closest to the surface
  - donor location site will be chosen based on size, type, and pigment of skin needed
2. Full-thickness skin graft
  - used to treat deep and large wounds or scars
  - used when maximum skin elasticity are needed
  - uses all layers (not just the surface layer) of skin from the donor site
3. Composite skin graft
  - provides the repaired skin with the most underlying support
  - involves lifting all layers of skin, fat, and sometimes the underlying cartilage from the donor site
tissue expansion
A tissue expansion is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a balloon-like device (called an expander) under the skin. The expander then slowly secretes liquid into the area to be repaired to actually stretch and expand the skin. This serves the function of "growing" extra skin to repair nearby lost or damaged skin.

This page was last updated on: September 20, 2007.

For more information about UM Division of Plastic Surgery or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-492-5538 or 410-328-2360 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).