Plastic Surgery: Not Always Cosmetic
A person going in for a little plastic surgery seems to have become a societal norm in the past decade. Whether a housewife is going under the knife for a breast augmentation or a businessman is having some liposuction done, surgery is no longer only desired for the vain and those in the adult film industry.
Plastic Surgery Not Always Cosmetic
As reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, about 11.5 million Americans underwent some form of plastic surgery during 2006; a number that many researchers believe will drastically increase in the year to come. However, when reviewing the local news today I came across an article that put a new spin on the plastic surgery craze that seems to be taking Americans hostage these days. While many believe plastic surgery to be something only for those who want to enhance or better their physical appearance, plastic surgery isn’t always cosmetic.
A San Francisco newspaper recently published an article about a cabinet-maker who severed his thumb while at work. He walked into the hospital with one less finger and left with one less toe.
Toe-to-Thumb Surgery
The 27-year-old man reportedly underwent “Toe-to-Thumb� surgery, a procedure that has been fairly common since 1969.
During the surgery, surgeons simply remove a toe from one of the patient’s feet and reattach it to the hand, which is missing the finger. The man’s bones, tendons, and nerves were all reconnected.
The surgery is often performed on those, such as this particular man, who need the full function of their hands in order to continue working.
Tough, But Necessary Surgery Decisions
In these particular circumstances, when an accident occurs and you need to make a difficult decision that could impact you physically and mentally for the rest of your life, the decisions aren’t always easy.
However, for this man, and for many others who have benefited from plastic surgery when confronted with a crisis, the decision had to be made and he believes he made the right one.
Afterall, in the grand scheme of things, what’s one toe?
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November 22nd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
With regards to toe to thumb transfer -
It is actually a relatively rare procedure. And as someone who has performed this operation I can assure you there is nothing simple about it. If you can overcome the challenges that microsurgical anastamosis of the artery and vein (its usually the vein that causes the problem), get good boney union and intact tendon repair the physical rehab is extensive.
Interestingly enough the cosmesis (arguably significantly less important than function) can be very reasonable. However - it still pales in comparison to a prosthesis.
Not every patient thinks that trading a perfect toe for a less than perfect thumb is willing to undergo this operation. Several patients I have offered this operation to have deferred in favor of a prosthesis.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:27 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce