Psychologic adjustments to reconstructive surgery.

Reconstructive surgery carries with it both physical and psychologic manifestations. The plastic surgery nurse must be aware of the functional, physical, and psychologic needs of the patient. This article explores issues associated with body image and psychologic adjustment, as well as nursing intervention for the trauma patient, the patient who has suffered from disease leading to the necessity for reconstructive surgery, patients with congenital defects, and patients undergoing multi-staged reconstruction.