Introduction
Emergency patient management usually includes car accidents, injuries from falls or fights, burns, or trauma to the head or face. Such situations need emergency medical treatment along with restoring the aesthetic aspect. Plastic surgeons and other medical professionals team up to handle the situation to bring the best possible care for the patients.
Why Are Plastic Surgeons Needed in Emergency Patient Management?
Plastic surgeons may be the most suited to carry out specific surgeries in the emergency room due to their unique skill set and experience. Plastic surgeons better understand skin structure and soft tissues and how everything is interrelated, enabling them to treat wounds methodically. Plastic surgeons are more accustomed to correcting flaws, such as replacing missing skin or body parts. The ability of an emergency or duty doctor to solve problems in this manner can be limited.
Where Are Plastic Surgeons Needed in Emergency Patient Management?
During emergencies, the duty doctor may require consulting the plastic surgeon in case of:
1. Scalp Injuries
A scalp laceration can result from a direct blow to the head when young children learn to ride a bike without training wheels but with protective head gears. Even though scalp lacerations seldom become infected, it is still crucial to scrutinize each of these wounds when it happens. Hemorrhage and hemostasis can occur due to a scalp laceration; patients are advised to apply direct pressure on the wound.
The plastic surgeon will find out how far the injury extends into the child's skull if the kid has a scalp injury. Examine the wound for any foreign objects, a skull crack, or a galea (the connective tissue that forms the third layer of the scalp) damage.
All injuries to the scalp's glossy, slick galea layer discovered during the examination suggest that the damage is severe and needs emergency medical treatment. These wounds must be fixed immediately; otherwise, ignoring these wounds might result in aesthetic disfigurement.
2. Nasal Trauma
Accidents can happen when an individual has a nasal injury as a result. A surgeon could be needed for facial damage caused by a nasty fall or excessive play fighting. Plastic surgeons will cover the cartilage initially, then look for any underlying fractures; it is crucial to protect any exposed cartilage. Otherwise, this can lead to long-term chondritis or outward appearance defects. The surgeon will examine a septal hematoma. A bulging, blue-shaded look surrounding the anterior septal region is a clue to them.
Individuals can avoid breathing and aesthetic problems with emergency plastic surgery. They will not have breathing difficulties or visible displacement due to the damage in this way.
3. Lacerations on the Face
A cut on the face or neck is always considered an emergency treatment as there are many important blood vessels and nerves. This includes cuts on the cheek as well. Depending on the severity of the injury, individuals may need cheek laceration repair, while many rely on cheek implants to look younger.
The cheek skin, underlying layer, muscle, and intra-oral mucosa are all involved in a full-thickness injury. Damage to the facial nerves may also result from this kind of injury. The surgeon will check the facial nerve's five branches during an examination. Before closing the wound, the surgeon can perform emergency plastic surgery to look for facial nerve damage.
4. Eyebrow or Eyelid Lacerations
However, injuries to the eyelid or brow can put individuals at risk for long-term issues. The individual's eye may tear up if these issues are not identified and treated often. Plastic surgeons avoid cosmetic defects around the eye or brow by performing surgery that enhances the look and prevents further damage to eye and vision problems.
5. Dog Bites
Even the kindest animal may bite when startled or frightened. The severity of these wounds ranges widely, from tiny skin rips to serious tissue harm. To determine the severity of a dog bite injury, a thorough examination by a plastic surgeon is necessary. Additionally, it is crucial to carefully wash any dog bite wounds because they are particularly prone to infection. To reduce this danger, plastic surgeons frequently prescribe antibiotics when treating dog bites.
6. Scar Corrections
There are several distinct reasons why people sustain facial injuries and abrasions. These wounds may cause individuals to develop minor facial scars if untreated. A plastic surgeon can hide these scars. This kind of surgery can be categorized as cosmetic or functional, depending on where the spot is located. For instance, a fault close to an eyelid may affect the tear ducts. This kind of damage can be fixed to enhance both functionality and appearance.
The individual's eyes may tear up often if these issues are not identified and treated.
7. Burns
Burns are common accidents due to chemical exposure, heat, or electricity. The hand, face, neck, and scalp are commonly exposed to burns. Among them, the hand is considered one of the most common sites for burns. Antibiotic creams can treat minor injuries. However, deep and more extensive wounds may require immediate reconstruction. The quality of life is majorly affected due to decreased functionality of a particular area. The problem can be prevented by initial management and treatment by the doctor. The surgeon evaluates the severity of the burn, how it happened, depth of injury, perfusion status, and viability of the area.
The main aim is to prevent further damage, infection, and loss of function. This is achieved by skin grafting and skin substitutes. Flap reconstruction can be done in later stages.
Conclusion
Emergency patient management always poses a challenge. Apart from that, maintaining aesthetics is another challenge. Plastic surgeons in an emergency room help to address issues such as fractures, burns, lacerations, and facial reconstruction, apart from maintaining function. In some cases, second and third surgery may be required apart from primary surgical correction to achieve the desired results.
