Plastic Surgery Literature Review

The American Board of Plastic Surgery defines plastic surgery as being "A surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease" (2009). Although it is thought to be a relatively new procedure, plastic surgery has been around since 600 B.C. when the first plastic surgery textbook was published. "In 600 B.C., Acharya Sushrut published the Sushruta Samhita, a collection of medical texts about plastic surgery, the first of its kind in ancient history" (Salcido, 2010). Since then, plastic surgery has gained rapid popularity and is presently used to alter superficial appearances and deformities. Children born with severe physical deformities or handicaps are at a higher

Due to their not fitting in, the child could be ostracized and be deemed an outcast. A major part that contributes to social anxiety is the way one's peers react to and treat them. "…A review of the literature leads to the conclusion that individuals with the most severe forms of craniofacial deformities are at greater risk for experiencing social and psychological stress…" (Pruzinsky, 1992). The appearance of this social and psychological stress explains, in part, why a child may feel anxious while being seen in public: those around cannot fathom someone looking different, and thus they are quick to make assumptions about the child's character or personality. In most cases, teenagers and adolescents have the worst experience when they are deformed or handicapped. The teenage years are cruel and ruthless because everyone is insecure and they do not yet know who they are. Erik Parens details what it was like to be an adolescent with an apparent physical

This bond will have a lasting impact on the child's development. Studies have shown that physical anomalies have an inverse relationship with the quality of care and attention the child receives. A baby born without a defect or deformity will receive better care and more nurturing than a baby born with a defect or deformity. "When parents have consistent anxiety about their child's appearance, more energy gets spent on efforts to decrease difference and avoid social situations that might lead to difficult interactions" (Parens, 2006). The parents' sole purpose should be providing the best care for their newborn. This includes devoting all time and energy to nurturing the child instead of worrying about physical