Cosmetic Surgeons Recommended as Part of Disaster Relief Teams

Created on 18th September 2009

When a disaster occurs in some part of the world it's unlikely that your first thought will be 'I hope they've got some plastic surgeons on stand-by.' However, according to a recent article that idea isn't as ridiculous as it first sounds.

In the September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UT Southwester Medical Centre plastic surgeons and disaster experts suggest that cosmetic surgeons should be included with those who work with people affected by disasters, alongside people like trauma and orthopaedic surgeons.

It would seem that the authors of the study believe that plastic surgeons can put their skills to uses other than liposuction, nose jobs, Botox, face lifts and breast enlargements.

Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern and the study's senior author said: "Plastic surgeons, particularly those based at academic medical centres and/or major trauma centres, are far more engaged in complex reconstruction procedures on a day-to-day basis than... We are intimately involved in preventing and treating face and tissue scarring, treating burns, and handling sensitive nerve-related injuries, some of which can be best served by having plastic surgeons on the scene or at least near the front lines where disaster victims are being evacuated."

The authors of the article pointed out four main areas in trauma care where plastic surgeons have specialist expertise. 1) soft tissue trauma. 2) facial trauma. 3) upper and lower extremity trauma and 4) burns.

For example, soft tissue injuries are the most common injury resulting from explosions. In these cases early intervention by plastic surgeons could help avoid long-term problems caused by these injuries such as scarring or wound healing.

Plastic surgeons also have a great deal of experience with burns which would be very useful in fires or radiation disasters.

"Plastic surgeons routinely deal with facial healing, facial fractures, tissue damage and related territory, making access to the expertise of a plastic surgeon invaluable," Dr. Rohrich said.

The article's authors concluded that "As many disciplines gather together to partner in disaster response and preparation, the plastic surgeons should be seen as pivotal members, let alone additional assets, for the medical casualty care team"