Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to help restore one’s function or appearance. It also helps correct deformities acquired through trauma, genetics, or other medical conditions. Unlike cosmetic plastic surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery is considered medically necessary for specific health conditions. In this article, we have listed five such reconstructive surgeries.

1. Breast explant surgery
Breast implants do not last forever and require a replacement every 10-15 years. In a breast implant removal surgery, the goal is to remove the implants from earlier surgeries. The surgeon may also remove the silicone that may have leaked, and the breast capsule placed near the scar tissue. These materials are formed after the placement of the initial breast implant. While the scar tissue is soft, sometimes it may harden and cause pain and discomfort. In this case, it is removed with the other irregularities.

2. Congenital anomaly surgery
These are medically diagnosed conditions that can be hereditary and alter the anatomy of a person. They include cleft lip and palate abnormalities that impeded the person’s regular function. Surgeons repair the incomplete formation of the patient’s upper lip or the roof of their mouth. Several other congenital anomalies are treated through surgery. Correcting congenital anomalies help remove any condition that could restrict a person’s development.

3. Hand surgery
Sometimes, even abnormalities of the hand require surgery to improve the individual’s well being. Certain hand conditions that can be fixed through surgery include Rheumatoid arthritis, Dupuytren’s contracture, and carpal tunnel syndrome. In reconstructive surgery, the surgeon aims to restore the regular function of the hands and fingers. The surgeon also corrects any abnormalities that were present at birth.

4. Migraine surgery
Migraine surgeries focus on reducing or eliminating the frequency of headaches, the duration, and its subsequent pain. A person with migraines gets affected through compression and irritation of the sensory nerves or vessels around their head. These nerve compression sites are also known as trigger points. The number of trigger points can differ from one person to the next based on their symptoms. They may be located above the eyes, on the forehead and the temples, behind the eyes, behind the head, or inside the nose. Surgery helps release these compression points, which brings down the severity of the migraine or eliminates it.

5. Skin cancer removal
A vital role of reconstructive plastic surgery for specific health conditions includes the removal of skin cancer. A cancer diagnosis is difficult to comprehend, but it helps identify the source and treatments. In most cases, treating the condition involves removing the cancerous growth, which may leave scars. However, surgeons do their best to remove skin cancer without drastically altering the person’s appearance. One must keep in mind that treating skin cancer can also help save a person’s life.