Trauma Reconstruction

Trauma reconstruction is performed to a damaged or deformed part of the body from an injury or illness. The main goal is to restore function and improve appearance as best as possible. After a severe accident or life-threatening illness, plastic surgery is often necessary to reconstruct the area by obtaining closure or coverage of wounds with flaps or grafts, fixation and stabilization of bones and soft tissue, or reconstructing deformed or mangled areas affected by trauma or illness.

Man with salt and pepper hair wearing glasses and smiling

Trauma reconstruction via plastic surgery addresses multiple issues, including complex lacerations, chronic wounds, burn injuries, damaged tissue or other critical structures (nerves, blood vessels, tendons, amputations, replantations, etc.), as well as broken bones in the face and hands. Sometimes, trauma reconstruction may even be required to prevent a limb's amputation where flaps and/or skin grafts are required for limb salvage.

Restore function and improve your appearance with trauma reconstruction

When you experience a severe or life-threatening accident, your emergency and trauma doctor will care for your immediate injuries and ensure your physical stability. Once this initial care has been done, reconstructive surgery may often be recommended to:

Help restore function or salvage to a finger, hand, foot, or entire limb
Rebuild or stabilize the face
Repair damage from traumatic injury to the hands and feet
Surgically reconstruct large, complex wounds following infections, traumatic injuries, or motor vehicle/cycle accidents

Additionally, we treat lacerations with precise repair of the skin and tissue, along with burn injuries with skin grafts. Trauma reconstruction is a very creative and highly specialized art that is always personalized to achieve the best possible outcome for your unique circumstances.

Who is a suitable candidate for trauma reconstruction?

If you have suffered a severe injury that has left you disfigured or has impaired the function of some part of your body, you may be in need of trauma reconstruction. Your first step will be a private consultation with Dr. Andres, who will review your unique case's details with you. Dr. Andres is an expert in reconstructive surgery and is passionate about achieving results that look and feel natural. You may be a candidate for trauma reconstruction if:

You have experienced facial trauma that affects appearance as well as function.
You have broken bones or fractures in your face, hands, or feet.
You have lost significant amounts of tissue or skin due to illness or injury.
You have complex wounds, lacerations, or burns or form and function issues resulting from such.

Which body parts can trauma reconstruction surgery rebuild?

Reconstructive surgery after trauma can address any body part that has been damaged. Some of the more commonly treated areas include:

The face and mouth
The face, hands, feet, legs, thighs, or just about any body part can be surgically repaired. Dr. Andres may correct fractures and broken bones; skin grafts and soft tissue reconstruction via tissue rearrangement or the transfer of tissue from one area to another may also be used.
Abdomen and chest: The abdominal and chest walls can be reconstructed after illness or injury.
Hands and fingers: If you are missing fingers or have fractures or broken bones, reconstructive surgery can be used to repair them and restore function.

Facial reconstruction

Facial reconstruction requires an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy and extensive expertise in reconstructive surgery. Facial injuries can be complex and often require extensive reconstruction, such as repositioning broken bones and securing them with metal screws and plates. The first steps of facial reconstruction include careful examination, imaging, and evaluation by an experienced surgeon. Facial reconstruction may also correct the alignment of the teeth, jaw, eyes, nose, and mouth. Dr. Andres may also address these issues if your breathing has been impacted or your vision has been impaired. This will all depend upon the extent of the damage.

How long will my surgery take?

This varies significantly from person to person, depending on the details of your surgery. Trauma reconstruction is typically performed under general anesthesia. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure but may require an overnight stay in more complex cases. Facial reconstructions usually take several hours. Some reconstructive surgeries may take longer when more complex. Dr. Andres will provide you with details of your surgical plan and what to expect.

Will it take me a long time to recover?

Recovery time is individual. It may take approximately six weeks to fully recover from the facial reconstruction, depending on the complexity of your surgery and the body parts that have been reconstructed. Dr. Andres will give you all the information you need and detailed post-operative care instructions.

Choosing your trauma reconstruction surgeon

Choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon is vital for any surgery, but perhaps even more so when it comes to reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is fully customized to suit your unique circumstances, and your surgeon must have a deep understanding of human anatomy and extensive, specialized training. Dr. Andres is currently Chief of Plastic Surgery at HonorHealth - Shea remains one of the plastic surgery/facial plastic surgeons on the trauma call teams throughout the Valley and has a great interest in reconstructive surgery. His staff is warm and welcoming, and you can be confident that your reconstructive surgery is in the most competent hands.