Plastic surgery is often needed after a disaster. One study says that should be part of standard planning.
A new study found that plastic surgeons can play a vital role in helping victims of disasters, such as the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the 2005 London Underground bombings.
Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern and co-author of the study, said plastic surgeons belong on disaster relief teams and can also help plan for medical response.
The study noted that plastic surgeons could play a vital role in disaster relief, given their expertise in burn management and treating trauma to the face, extremities and soft tissue. Soft tissue injuries are the most common injury during a disaster.
If plastic surgeons can provide early intervention, the study said, they can help heal injuries on site and prevent long-term scarring. In the long run, this could be cost-effective for the patients.
