Why You May Need a Plastic Surgeon in the ER
By Tim Barker, Editorial Contributor
Plastic surgery isn’t just tummy tucks, Botox and facelifts. Plastic surgeons often play a key role in emergency room trauma care – helping patients to avoid or minimize lifelong scarring and deformities.
It’s not uncommon for serious ER cases to require a team of specialists, including plastic surgeons, says Dr. Deepak K. Naidu, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Medical Group Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery.
“To achieve the best aesthetic outcome, meticulous repairs may be needed for injuries caused by car accidents and other direct traumas,” Dr. Naidu says.
Plastic surgery is often needed in ER cases involving the head, ears, eyes and nose. These include:
- Scalp injuries caused by a blunt hit to the head that could result in cosmetic deformity
- Nasal injuries that can cause respiratory and cosmetic issues
- Cheek lacerations, which cause nerve damage in the face
- Eyelid and/or eyebrow injuries that can create vision problems
Reconstruction Starts in the ER
Either the doctor or the patient may choose to consult with a plastic surgeon in the ER, where common procedures include:
- Reattaching body parts
- Fixing facial fractures and breaks
- Facial reconstruction
- Wound cleaning
Unique Skill Set
A plastic surgeon’s unique skills and experience can make them the most qualified doctor to perform certain procedures in the ER. Plastic surgeons often have a better understanding of soft tissues, the structure of the skin and how it’s all connected, allowing them to repair injuries in a meticulous manner.
Plastic surgeons also have more experience with thinking outside the box when it comes to fixing defects, including repairing body parts or sections of skin that are missing.
