More than 98% of the injuries are of ambulatory solution, and the concept is to repair immediately, in the moment. After that there is a close and controlled following of the case. "The patient and his family should leave their worries with us, and we will be responsible for their containment", affirms doctor Carlos E. Van Thienen, director of the Clinic of Plastic & Reconstructive surgery, which has just created a specialized guard for injuries, cuts and burns where, from the first moment, the attention received is done by specialist, "in a place where the operating room, admission and the emergency room concentrate".

The specialist ensures that, even though these emergencies are regularly taken care of in general emergency rooms with a derivation system towards reconstructive surgery, this method occasionally creates delays in the attention and attempts on the patient`s recovery.

"In plastic surgery there are also emergencies", resumes Van Thienen.

– How do you define an emergency?

– An emergency includes all of the situations in which the time factor is priority in the resolution of the problem, but it`s important to know, except in emergencies (when time is urgent so as to preserve the patient`s life), in the other situations, educating, we can establish priorities. And, with conviction, reduce the intense anxiety that the unknown produces.

– What`s the difference between plastic surgery and aesthetic or cosmetic surgery?

– Plastic surgery has the task of restoring the shape, repairing the function and improving the appearance of those parts of the body which have been damaged. In the case of the aesthetic surgery, the focus is oriented towards the improvement of the appearance of healthy patient that wish to see themselves better.

– And in aesthetic surgery, are there emergencies?

– Of course, and they are related to the post operation and its eventual complications. Like in all surgery, the possibility of bleeding and infections are present and, if this occurs, it becomes an emergency. But if one works in a systemized way, the complication rates are low.

– Who are the ones in charge of treating these patients?

– The plastic and reconstructive surgeons, those who have been trained to treat injuries. They know the skin and its relations with the rest of the structures, as well as the functions and folds. They are the ones who are in charge of repairing shapes, volumes and functions. That`s our mission.

At home

With cuts, wounds or burns there are three simple measures:

1. Keep calm and also transmit this to the person who has suffered the accident. Everything will be resolved.

2. Wash with abundant running water. If it`s a burn, sufficient cold water must be applied so as to produce relief and decrease the temperature of the affected zone as well.

3. If it bleeds, take a clean cloth (handkerchief, napkin, tissue, towel) and compress. The gravity will be determined by the specialist.