carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that reduces pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. It works by opening the tissue band that forms the “roof” of the carpal tunnel. It is commonly used in hand and plastic surgery to improve nerve-related symptoms and hand function. It is considered primarily reconstructive and functional rather than cosmetic.

nerve repair is a surgical approach used to reconnect or reconstruct an injured nerve. Its goal is to help restore nerve signaling for sensation, movement, or both. It is used in reconstructive plastic surgery and may also be relevant after cosmetic procedures when a nerve is injured.

tendon repair is a surgical procedure that reconnects or reattaches a damaged tendon so it can transmit muscle force to a joint or bone again. It is most commonly performed after tendon cuts (lacerations) or ruptures from trauma or sports injuries. In plastic and reconstructive surgery, tendon repair is often part of hand, wrist, and forearm reconstruction where function and appearance are closely linked. It may also be used alongside other repairs (skin, nerve, vessel, or bone) after complex injuries.

hand reconstruction is a set of procedures that restore the structure of the hand after injury, disease, or congenital differences. It commonly aims to improve function (movement, strength, sensation) and appearance (shape, soft-tissue coverage, scars). It is primarily a reconstructive plastic and orthopedic hand surgery field, and it can overlap with cosmetic goals in select cases. The plan is individualized and may involve skin, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, bone, joints, and nails.

bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is a surgical procedure that cuts and splits the lower jaw (mandible) on both sides so it can be repositioned. It is most commonly used in orthognathic (jaw) surgery to correct bite and jaw alignment problems. It can be performed for functional reconstruction, facial balance, or both. Fixation is typically achieved with small plates and screws to hold the jaw in its new position while it heals.

Le Fort I osteotomy is a surgical procedure that cuts and repositions the upper jaw (the maxilla). It is used to correct bite problems and facial imbalance by moving the maxilla in a controlled way. It is commonly performed in orthognathic (jaw) surgery for functional correction and facial harmony. It can be part of reconstructive care after trauma, congenital conditions, or tumor-related surgery.

orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure that repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. It is used to correct jaw alignment problems that affect bite, facial balance, and airway-related function. It is performed for reconstructive goals, functional improvement, and, in some cases, aesthetic refinement. It is commonly planned in coordination with orthodontic treatment.

Craniosynostosis surgery is an operation to treat craniosynostosis, a condition where one or more skull sutures fuse earlier than expected. It aims to restore a more typical skull shape and support normal space for the growing brain. It is primarily a **reconstructive** craniofacial procedure, though it also affects appearance and symmetry. It is most commonly performed in infancy or early childhood, depending on the type and severity.

cleft palate repair is surgery to close an opening (cleft) in the roof of the mouth (the palate). It aims to restore more typical separation between the mouth and nasal cavity. It is primarily a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure, and it can also affect facial and speech-related appearance. It is commonly performed as part of multidisciplinary cleft care (plastic surgery, ENT, speech-language pathology, dentistry/orthodontics).

cleft lip repair is a surgical procedure that closes and reshapes a split (cleft) in the upper lip. It is primarily a reconstructive plastic surgery operation, with cosmetic goals closely tied to function. It aims to restore more typical lip anatomy, including the skin, red lip (vermilion), and underlying muscle. It may also include early correction of related nasal asymmetry, depending on the case and surgeon.

lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure that removes one or more lymph nodes from a specific body region. It is most commonly used in cancer care to check whether disease has spread and to guide treatment planning. In plastic and reconstructive care, its relevance often relates to reconstruction after cancer surgery and managing lymphedema risk. It is not typically performed for cosmetic goals, but it can affect appearance and function in areas such as the underarm, neck, or groin.

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical test that removes one or a few “first-draining” lymph nodes from an area near a tumor. Those nodes are examined to look for signs that cancer cells have traveled through the lymphatic system. It is most commonly used in breast cancer and melanoma care, often alongside reconstructive or oncoplastic (cancer + plastic surgery) procedures. It helps clinicians stage disease while aiming to avoid removing more lymph nodes than necessary.

wide local excision is a surgical procedure that removes a lesion plus a rim of surrounding normal-appearing tissue. It is most commonly used to treat or fully remove certain cancers and suspicious growths while aiming to preserve nearby structures. The removed tissue is typically sent to a lab to check diagnosis and whether edges are clear of abnormal cells. It is used in reconstructive and plastic surgery settings when closure, scar planning, or contour restoration is important.

skin cancer removal is the medical process of eliminating a skin cancer or suspected skin cancer from the body. It most often refers to procedures that physically remove the lesion and a surrounding margin of tissue. Depending on the size and location, it can include reconstructive closure to restore form and function. It is commonly used in both reconstructive and cosmetic contexts because the face and other visible areas are frequent treatment sites.

Dermabrasion for scars is a procedure that mechanically resurfaces the skin to soften the appearance of certain scars. It uses a controlled “sanding” technique to remove upper skin layers and blend uneven scar texture. It is commonly used in cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery, and it may also support reconstructive goals after injury or surgery. Results and healing vary by scar type, skin characteristics, technique, and clinician.

serial excision is a staged surgical technique that removes a skin lesion or scar in multiple planned operations. Instead of taking the entire area at once, the surgeon excises a portion and closes the wound, then repeats later. It is used in plastic and reconstructive surgery and may also be used for cosmetic concerns. The goal is typically to achieve closure with the patient’s own nearby skin while limiting distortion and extensive grafting.

W-plasty is a surgical scar-revision technique that converts a straight scar line into a zig-zag (W-shaped) pattern. It is designed to make a scar less noticeable by “breaking up” a linear line and redistributing tension along the closure. W-plasty is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, especially on visible areas such as the face.

Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to revise scars and reposition tight skin. It works by creating a Z-shaped pattern of incisions and transposing small skin flaps. It is commonly used in reconstructive surgery to release scar contracture and improve function. It is also used in cosmetic scar revision to make a scar less noticeable by changing its direction.

scar revision is a group of treatments used to improve the appearance, texture, or position of a scar. It can also be used to reduce scar-related tightness that limits movement or causes distortion of nearby anatomy. scar revision is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery settings. The goal is typically to make a scar less noticeable or less symptomatic, not to erase it.

aesthetic genital surgery is a group of procedures that change the appearance and, in some cases, the feel or function of external and internal genital tissues. It may involve reshaping, reducing, augmenting, tightening, or repositioning genital structures. It is used in cosmetic practice and can overlap with reconstructive surgery when anatomy has been changed by birth, aging, weight change, trauma, or prior surgery. Specific goals and techniques vary by clinician and case.