Introduction to the Department

The origin of the word “plastic” ― the ancient Greek word plastikos ― means “fitting to casting or molding.” Similarly, plastic and reconstructive surgery is a special area of surgery that corrects structural deformations or malformations and functional defects. In other words, plastic and reconstructive surgery can be said to be an area that corrects the deformations of any part of the whole body, and that treats functional defects.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is commonly expressed as plastic and reconstructive surgery, but the term “aesthetic” is sometimes used in place of the word “plastic.” In this context, reconstructive surgeries can be said to be attempts to restore objects to their normal states, and cosmetic surgeries, attempts to make objects surpass the standards.

The area of reconstructive plastic surgery mainly deals with congenital malformations (cleft palate, cleft lip, ear malformation, hand or foot malformation, cranial & facial malformation, etc.), burn treatments, facial traumas, and limb traumas. On the other hand, aesthetic surgeries tackle areas related to cosmetic treatments known to the general public, such as double-eyelid formation, old face cosmetic surgeries, scar correction surgeries, nose surgeries, breast surgeries, and liposuction surgeries.

The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department is an advanced department boasting high-level medical workers from the faculty of Seoul National University, and cutting-edge medical equipment. The department has three faculty members and Seoul National University interns, with more than 1,200 cases of surgery performed in close collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital.

In addition, the department is actively conducting basic research on new breast flap surgeries, fine surgeries, and wound treatments, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, such as lipomatic system, lipo aspirator, endoscopic facelift & mammyplasty set, and V-star laser.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a specialized branch of surgery concerned with the repair of deformities and the correction of morphological and functional deficits. The department has dealt with aesthetic and congenital problems as well as tumors, reconstructions, hand/foot problems, and traumatic problems.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a crucial part of medicine that provides a broad range of structural surgeries for defects and deformities of all layers of tissue in all regions of the body, from the skin bottom to the bone, from the hair to the toe. Moreover, with the help of reconstructive surgery, patients suffering from defects and deformities due to burns and their sequalae, trauma, congenital deformities, and tumor resection in many cases recover the normal appearance and function of their defective or deformed body parts.

In addition to clinical work, the department also focuses on medical research. It has conducted numerous researches on wound healing as well as stem cell researches on fats, cartilages, bones, muscles, etc.

The department has also introduced and developed new techniques and operations in South Korea, such as rapid-distraction osteogenesis. Many alumni of the department are positioned as advanced clinical practitioners and professors in other medical colleges and institutions.