Trunk and Lower Extremity Reconstruction

Trunk and Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
Questions You May Have

Trunk and Lower Extremity Reconstruction
There are a variety of reasons that patients need reconstruction of their trunk region or lower extremities. Reconstruction of the abdomen and chest area is often required following the large wounds typically associated with radiation therapy, cancer resections, previous abdominal surgery, and trauma. Lower extremity reconstruction often is used for coverage of traumatic wounds and post oncologic cancer resections, to salvage amputation stumps, and to cover non-healing) ulcers caused by diabetes or arterial or venous insufficiency.

Working in concert with your cancer, trauma, or disease specialist, the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery can surgically repair and restore both the appearance and function of your lower extremities and trunk area.

Are You A Good Candidate for Trunk and/or Lower Extremity Reconstruction?
There are many different surgical options for treating trauma, disease, and resection of the lower extremities or trunk region. Working with your cancer, trauma, or disease specialist and the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can determine the strategy and surgical approach that is appropriate for treating your specific situation and restoring your appearance and any affected functions.

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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to your trunk and lower extremity surgery, you will meet at length with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery to thoroughly discuss the options that are available to you. You will discuss how effective each option is in restoring your appearance and any specific functions you may have lost. In addition, the doctor and staff will also:

· Clearly discuss the potential risks of each procedure
· Explain which type of anesthesia will be used, where the surgery will be performed, and how long a hospital stay is required
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost, payment, and insurance information
· Answer all your questions

You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol consumption.

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How The Procedure Is Performed
A variety of surgical techniques are available to help restore appearance and any lost function that has resulted from trauma, cancer, or disease affecting the trunk or lower extremities. These techniques include skin grafting, flap surgery, tissue expansion, microvascular tissue transfer, and other reconstructive procedures. Depending on the complexity of the technique chosen, your surgery will be performed either at one of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery's accredited outpatient-based surgical facilities: the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or the Washington Hospital Center, or at Sibley Memorial hospital if an overnight stay is required. The surgery will be performed either using general anesthesia in which you will be completely asleep during the entire procedure or local anesthesia with sedation in which you will be awake but relaxed and feel little or no discomfort.

The details of your surgery, including where it will be performed, how long it will last, and the type of anesthesia used, will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with the doctor.

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Questions You May Have
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my trunk and/or lower extremity reconstruction surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by insurance. The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will work with you to obtain pre-approval from your insurance company.

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