Keiseigeka

Keiseigeka is the Japanese term for plastic and reconstructive surgery, a medical specialty focused on restoring form and function to the body. The field encompasses both reconstructive work, such as repairing congenital anomalies, trauma, burns, and cancer-related defects, and cosmetic procedures aimed at improving appearance.

Reconstructive procedures address functional and structural problems, including cleft lip and palate repair, breast reconstruction after cancer, hand and microsurgical reconstruction, burn care and scar revision, contracture release, and craniofacial surgery. Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures include rhinoplasty, facelifts, breast augmentation or reduction, and body contouring. Many practitioners also employ non-surgical aesthetic treatments, such as injectables and dermal fillers, as adjuncts to surgical care. The field often combines tissue transfer, grafting, and advanced wound management with traditional surgical techniques.

Training and regulation typically require a medical degree followed by a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery or an equivalent specialty, with board certification or credentialing where available. Professional societies establish standards and promote continuing education. In Japan, keiseigeka denotes the specialty that encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic techniques and is regulated through national and professional pathways.

Significance and considerations: Keiseigeka aims to restore function and improve appearance to enhance quality of life and social participation. It is multidisciplinary, patient-centered, and guided by evidence of risks and outcomes. Informed consent, realistic expectations, and ethical practice are central to care, with ongoing research driving innovations in techniques and safety.