Department of Plastic Surgery
Plastic and Reconstructive Excellence
The Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery focuses on restoring form and function after injury, burns, congenital conditions, major wounds, cancer surgery or other tissue loss. Plastic surgery is broader than cosmetic surgery: reconstructive work may involve skin, soft tissue, hand function, face, limbs and complex wounds. The department should be presented as a functional and restorative surgical service first, while aesthetic services may be included separately if routinely offered.
Why Cauvery Hospital
Trauma can cause loss of skin, muscle, tendon, nerve or bone coverage and may require staged reconstruction. Plastic surgeons may use skin grafts, local flaps or more complex tissue-transfer techniques depending on the defect and available microsurgical expertise. Chronic wounds—including diabetic foot wounds and pressure injuries—often require multidisciplinary care involving infection control, vascular assessment, diabetes management and wound reconstruction.
Treatment & Procedures
Conditions We Treat
- Complex wounds and soft-tissue defects
- Burns and burn scars
- Traumatic tissue loss
- Hand and tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Scar contractures
- Diabetic foot and chronic wounds
- Post-cancer reconstructive needs
- Congenital or acquired deformities
- Selected cosmetic concerns
Procedures / Services to Verify
- Skin grafting
- Local and regional flap reconstruction
- Microsurgical / free-flap reconstruction, where available
- Burn wound surgery
- Scar revision and contracture release
- Hand and tendon repair
- Nerve repair, where available
- Post-oncological reconstruction
- Wound debridement and reconstruction
- Selected aesthetic procedures, where available
Collaborative Care for Restoration and Healing
Hand surgery can include treatment of tendon injuries, nerve injuries, fractures, scar contractures and selected compressive neuropathies. Burn care may range from wound treatment to excision, grafting and later scar or contracture correction. Following cancer surgery, reconstructive options can help restore function and appearance in selected patients. Scar revision and selected cosmetic procedures may also be provided.
The website should accurately distinguish reconstructive, burn, hand and cosmetic services. Microsurgery, free-flap reconstruction, cleft surgery, breast reconstruction, cosmetic facial surgery and body-contouring procedures should be included only after the plastic-surgery team confirms regular availability. Patients should be informed that aesthetic outcomes vary and that surgery involves risks, recovery and possible revision. The final content should emphasise specialist assessment, realistic expectations, safety, wound optimisation and rehabilitation rather than dramatic before-and-after claims.
FAQ
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
What is reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery aims to restore function, coverage or appearance after injury, disease, surgery or congenital conditions.
How is reconstructive surgery different from cosmetic surgery?
Reconstructive surgery primarily addresses defects or functional problems, while cosmetic surgery primarily changes appearance in otherwise normal structures.
What is a skin graft?
A skin graft transfers skin from one area of the body to cover a wound or defect.
What is a flap?
A flap transfers tissue with its blood supply to cover a defect. Some flaps remain attached to nearby tissue; others may require microsurgery.
Can plastic surgeons treat diabetic foot wounds?
They may be part of a multidisciplinary team providing wound debridement, soft-tissue coverage and reconstruction after circulation and infection are assessed.
When is scar revision considered?
Scar revision may be considered when a scar causes functional restriction, discomfort or significant cosmetic concern after maturation and assessment.
Can burn scars be improved?
Many burn scars and contractures can be treated with rehabilitation, pressure or silicone therapy, injections, laser or surgery depending on the case.
What does hand surgery include?
Hand surgery may treat tendon, nerve, soft-tissue and selected bone or joint injuries as well as compressive conditions.
Are cosmetic surgery results guaranteed?
No. Results vary between individuals. A surgeon should discuss realistic expectations, limitations and risks before treatment.
How should I prepare for reconstructive surgery?
Optimising nutrition, diabetes control, smoking cessation, infection treatment and management of other medical conditions can improve surgical readiness.