208200000X - Plastic Surgery

Updated on October 19, 2025. Version 23.1

A plastic surgeon deals with the repair, reconstruction or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk and external genitalia or cosmetic enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon uses cosmetic surgical principles to both improve overall appearance and to optimize the outcome of reconstructive procedures. The surgeon uses aesthetic surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal structures but in all reconstructive procedures as well.

Source: American Board of Medical Specialties, 2007. www.abms.org [7/1/2007: definition added, source added] Additional Resources: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2007. http://www.abplsurg.org/. Board certification for Medical Doctors (MDs) is provided by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.