Plastic Surgery

A plastic surgery expert may be appropriate when the disputed care involves breast reconstruction, augmentation, reduction, implants, flap reconstruction, revision surgery, or another breast procedure within plastic surgery. Relevant records may include preoperative assessments, implant information when applicable, operative records, pathology findings, photographs, wound-healing documentation, and subsequent procedures. If the disputed care involves a breast procedure outside the plastic surgeon’s role, an expert whose specialty matches that procedure may also be appropriate.

A more specialized expert may be appropriate when the dispute involves complex facial skeletal reconstruction, congenital craniofacial conditions, cleft-related surgery, or another procedure requiring specific expertise in facial anatomy and function. The expert’s training and clinical experience should correspond to the particular operation and condition being evaluated.

A plastic surgeon expert witness may review why the graft or flap was selected, the condition of the recipient site, tissue blood supply, operative technique, postoperative monitoring, and signs of infection, impaired healing, or tissue loss. Photographs and follow-up records may also document how the reconstructed area healed and whether additional treatment or surgery was required.