Plastic surgeons may care for both pediatric and adult patients with hand/upper extremity deformities related to traumatic, oncologic and congenital/syndromic etiologies. Traumatic cases may necessitate not only bony fixation, but possibly replantation of all or part of the hand and upper extremity. In addition, nerve and tendon repairs and transfers are important techniques for the restoration of sensation and function to the upper extremity. Trainees may pursue additional fellowship training in this field.
Plastic surgery is broad surgical subspecialty that, unlike other surgical specialties, isn’t confined to a single organ system. As a result, it is a technically demanding and naturally creative field that is constantly changing and re-inventing itself. Plastic surgeons treat pathologies that range from congenital anomalies to cancer, trauma and degenerative or autoimmune conditions. Additionally, plastic surgeons are inherent team players since they must constantly work alongside other specialties like general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, orthopedic surgery otolaryngology and urology to reconstruct any anomalies or defects in the body.
