Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

General description of the work Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons undertake

The Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon deals with the following types of surgery:

  • burns and soft tissue injuries
  • scar reconstruction
  • skin grafting
  • breast reconstruction
  • microsurgery to the hand
  • cleft palate surgery
  • skin malignancy surgery
  • aesthetic surgery such as facelift procedures and breast enhancement

Most common clinical areas / procedures leading to a claim of clinical negligence

  • problems following breast surgery
  • problems following hand surgery
  • infection following cosmetic surgery
  • problems following face lift procedures

Sub–Specialities / Alternative and Additional job titles

Some Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons may be known as Plastic Surgeons or Cosmetic Surgeons or Consultant Plastic and Hand Surgeon.

Usual Qualifications

The Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon will be known as Mr rather than Dr and will have FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) after his name. He may additionally have FRCS(Plast) (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) (Specialist Exam in Plastic Surgery) after his name.

Academic Appointments

The Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon may be a Lecturer or Professor in Surgery or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at a Medical School. He/She may be an Examiner for one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons.