Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-03

cONcENITAL DEFECTS: AS this mans example
shows babies born with harelp need plastic surgery
soon as the doctor decides it is possible Other common
congental anomalies are the various kinds Of birth
marks - either pgmented moes or the reddlsh-purple
patches called hemangomaS.
Moles rarely if ever. disappear spontaneously. but
most Of them do in size except the child
grows and very few become malignant Therefore,
the decision as 10 whether TO remove them depends
largely their size and location ~ for example. when
they mar the patients appearance. or are constantly
irritated by belt.
The hemangiomas may be cured in several ways. and
opinion is divided inside the profession TO which
method is superior Some doctors believe that all Of
them will disappear of their own accord Others advise
treatment by surgical excson. by ray radium.
BY injecting certain solutions into the growth. Good
results can be shown BY the advocates of any Of these
methods which probably means there is no clearly
defined best way. Many of them will eventually disap
pear but il is mistake to allow them 10 grow until they
involve large area important parts Of the body.
Treatment at that time WILL of course. be far
complicated.
ACCIDENTS AND SURGICAL MUTILATI0N: The
universal for speed in transportation produces
tragic aftermath Of mutilating injuries. Plastic surgery
is indicated as possible after accident is
especially useful too. when burns have contracted the
skin around joints. limiting their movement. when
the has caused distortion Of the normal
facial features.
The reconstruction of defects resulting from the surg
cal cure Of cancers Of the face another obvious for
plastic surgery. have patients in whom the cure
seemed almost as disabling the cancer itself. but il
often is possible both these and acci
dent cases 10 normal appearance.
COSMETIC SURGERY: II is much more difficult TO
decide whether plastic surgery improve normal
but unatractive features. First the patient hon.
esy try weigh the importance say. Of protrudng
his relations with Others. believe Bng Crosby Jokes
about his protruding ears yet they do not seem TO
hinder his career.
None Of see ourselves others us. the fol-
lowing example shows. middle aged man came TO my
office with tumor the size Of fist on his chin !
assured him felt could be removed easily but he cor
reced Immediately. He had had that thing all his
life. and it didn't bother him at all What he wanted
taken off was mole on his eyelid - SO tiny il
scarcely visible!
Secondly, in deciding plastic surgery the surgeon
frequently has to utilize his knowledge Of psychology
well medicine He must help the patient make the
problem is neurotic
The individual who asks the doctor TO change his
features because he feels they holding him back
apt be dissatisfied with the results. II his normal
but dspeasne is operated he may next decide
that his chin needs correction.
Finally, the patient must keep in mind that plastic
surgery sculpture. We cannot pick face from
picture and reproduce il on given individual. We
have do the best with what is already there,
and no reputable doctor will claim anything more.