U.S. Marines Benefit From Plastic Surgery Advances

• Thursday October 12, 2006 in: Global Plastic Surgery Tag(s):

  Technorati Tags: plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery

  Plastic surgery has added to its list of happy and satisfied patients two U.S. Marines who have suffered seemingly irreparable wounds while in action in Iraq.

  U.S. Marine Sergeants Oscar Canon and Douglas Hayenga were both wounded in Iraq. Canon suffered major leg injuries in an ambush, while Hayenga survived a mortar attack in Fallujah that killed four others and left him with a shattered tibia that was within medical guidelines for amputation.

  But despite these serious injuries, both Marines have pulled through and have gone on to lead normal lives. Canon, who was initially told by doctors that he will never walk again just ran a marathon. Hayenga, on the other hand, had his right leg spared from amputation.

  Both say they owe their lives and limbs to the military plastic surgeons who worked on them, including Col. Thomas Crabtree.

  Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "The saves, the salvages that we're able to deliver now, even in the last two years, some of the advancements that have been made are mind-boggling."

  Crabtree has worked at all stages of the reconstructive surgery process -- from the front lines to the last stop at stateside military hospitals. He says the one critical area in need of a breakthrough is nerve replacement.

  Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "If there's one thing I could wish for, it would be a piece of nerve you could get at "Nerves Are Us" and have delivered and sew in and have it work." [abc7news.com]
  

  
  Plastic surgery, indeed, is now more than just for Hollywood actresses and wealthy socialites.