Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Definition
Pediatric plastic surgery encompasses procedures that improve a child’s appearance or restore function. These procedures correct congenital conditions, deformities or injuries affecting the face, skin or other parts of the body. Whether for cosmetic purposes or medical necessity, the specialized care pediatric plastic surgeons provide can have a life-changing impact on children and their families.
Alternative names
Reconstructive surgery in children; Pediatric reconstructive surgery; Children’s plastic surgery; Plastic and reconstructive surgery for children; Pediatric cosmetic surgery; Pediatric reconstructive surgery; Pediatric aesthetic surgery
Types of pediatric plastic surgery
Pediatric plastic surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, including:
- Burns and scar reconstruction: In cases of severe burns or other traumatic injuries, surgery can help reduce scarring, improve mobility and restore function.
- Cleft lip and palate repair: A common congenital condition where the upper lip and/or palate do not fully form during fetal development. A pediatric plastic surgeon can repair these gaps to improve speech, feeding and appearance.
- Congenital deformity surgeries: These surgeries correct deformities, such as ear malformations (e.g., prominent ears), craniofacial conditions (e.g., craniosynostosis) or other birth defects that affect the shape or function of the face or body.
- Ear reconstruction (otoplasty): This procedure corrects protruding or malformed ears, improving symmetry and boosting the child’s confidence.
- Hand and arm surgery: This includes procedures to treat congenital hand conditions, such as syndactyly (fused fingers) or polydactyly (extra fingers), as well as surgeries to repair injuries or improve hand function after trauma.
- Reconstructive surgery after trauma: If a child has sustained an injury, especially a facial injury, pediatric plastic surgeons can help restore the function and appearance of the affected area.
- Skin lesions and tumor removal: Surgery can remove benign or malignant skin growths, such as moles, cysts, large birthmarks or tumors, helping to prevent future health issues and improve appearance.
Candidates
Pediatric plastic surgery is often used to help children born with birth defects, injuries or conditions that affect their appearance or how their body works. Children with congenital issues, such as facial or hand differences, may benefit from surgery to improve both function and appearance. Surgery can also help patients who have suffered burns or other injuries that cause scars or limit movement.
Children born with conditions like cleft lip or palate may require surgery to improve their appearance and support essential functions, such as eating, speaking and hearing. A plastic surgeon can also remove birthmarks, tumors, cysts or skin growths that affect a child’s health and appearance. If you think your child may benefit from pediatric plastic surgery, it’s important to talk with a qualified surgeon to learn more about the options and what to expect.
Risks
Pediatric plastic surgery carries certain risks that parents and caregivers should consider before proceeding:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Delayed healing
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
- Surgical complications
- Unsatisfactory results
Procedure
Details of pediatric plastic surgery vary depending on the child’s condition and the procedure needed. Before the procedure, the surgeon will meet with you and your child to evaluate the condition, discuss goals and explain the surgical plan. This is also a good opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Most pediatric plastic surgeries are done under general anesthesia, so your child will be asleep during the procedure. For more minor surgeries, local anesthesia or sedation might be used instead. The surgery itself will focus on correcting the specific issue, whether that means repairing a birth defect, reshaping a body part or removing a growth.
Aftercare and recovery
Recovery from pediatric plastic surgery also varies depending on the procedure performed. After surgery, the child will need time to rest and avoid certain activities while swelling, bruising and mild discomfort gradually improve. Some children may require physical therapy to regain movement and strength, especially if the surgery involved the hands or limbs.
Follow-up visits with the surgeon are necessary to monitor healing and ensure the surgical site is recovering properly. For more complex procedures, long-term care may be required to monitor progress and achieve the best possible results.
This entry was written by Jennifer Cruz-Urbano, marketing specialist, and reviewed for accuracy by Bruce Mast, MD, FACS. Generative AI was leveraged as part of the content creation process.