This blog post explores how plastic surgery, expanding beyond simple appearance enhancement into the realms of reconstruction and treatment, contributes to improving quality of life.
In the 21st century, where students get double eyelid surgery after graduation and celebrities openly discuss their procedures, earning the label ‘plastic surgery idols,’ cosmetic surgery has become an inseparable part of modern life. Plastic surgery has now transcended the boundaries of cosmetic procedures aimed solely at refining appearance, establishing itself as a vital medical field that enhances quality of life and restores bodily function. Korean plastic surgery, in particular, is globally recognized, holding a leading position not only in aesthetics but also in reconstructive surgery. As medical technology advances, plastic surgery—combining diverse cutting-edge equipment and techniques—is offering hope to more people.
Plastic surgery was originally developed primarily for individuals suffering physical discomfort due to accidents or illness, rather than for cosmetic purposes. Reconstructive plastic surgery, which focuses on restoring the bodies of trauma patients, is an essential medical procedure that helps them lead normal lives, distinct from cosmetic goals. For example, patients with severe skin damage from burns can receive new skin through reconstructive surgery, protecting their bodies from external infection or further damage. Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital’s Burn and Plastic Surgery Center is a leading institution in this field of reconstructive surgery. It has gained international trust, evidenced by the fact that approximately 80 of the roughly 2,000 patients who visit annually are from China and Southeast Asia.
One crucial element in this reconstructive surgery is artificial skin. Reconstructive surgery goes beyond merely restoring appearance; it focuses on reviving the skin’s inherent functions. To achieve this, it must mimic the skin’s natural characteristics such as elasticity, durability, and flexibility, while also providing essential infection and dehydration prevention functions. As a skin substitute, artificial skin must not only cover the surface but also protect the damaged skin until it heals and assist the patient in their daily life.
The history of artificial skin dates back to 1981. It began when John F. Burke, a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Ioannis V. Yanas, a chemistry professor at MIT, developed the first artificial skin by combining collagen fibers extracted from cowhide with long sugar molecules. This artificial skin contained a collagen-based lattice structure called a ‘polymer membrane,’ which maintained skin moisture while preventing infection. However, early artificial skin lacked the ability to transmit sensation and had the drawback of appearing unnatural when applied to the body.
With advances in science, artificial skin capable of sensing touch and responding to bodily movement is now being developed. Tactile sensation is one of the skin’s primary functions, with Pacini corpuscles sensing pressure, Ruffini corpuscles sensing temperature, and Meissner corpuscles sensing touch. To implement such tactile sensations in artificial skin, researchers are experimenting with new materials like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and nanowires to achieve natural sensory transmission. Through these technologies, it is now possible to detect sensations as subtle as a light ladybug landing on the skin.
Advancements in artificial skin technology are expanding its applicability beyond reconstructive surgery into diverse fields like robotics, medical devices, and healthcare. For instance, applying tactile artificial skin to robotic hands could lead to robots possessing human-like delicate sensations. This technology is also expected to be useful in developing prosthetic limbs for patients with disabilities. Prosthetic limbs capable of sensing touch are expected to provide patients with a sensory connection beyond physical function, offering psychological reassurance.
Furthermore, artificial skin can serve as a core component in wearable computers. Stretchable and durable artificial skin-like wearables, closely adhering to the skin, are useful for measuring biological signals and monitoring health status. Soon, artificial skin capable of performing functions nearly identical to human skin will be commercialized, offering hope to patients with full-body burns or severe trauma.
The techniques of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery have advanced dramatically over the past few decades. Artificial skin, which once served only limited functions like covering burn areas, now reproduces sensation, achieves skin-like texture, and even attempts sensory transmission through nerves. Thanks to the advancement of artificial skin technology, the day when patients can regain sensation and function close to that of their original skin is not far off.
Thus, the boundary between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery is increasingly blurring, and the future created by technological progress will offer a new life to more people.
