Plastic Surgery

INTRODUCTION:

The Burns Unit was initiated in the year 1974 when, the then Dean, Prof. H.D. Singh unfurled the importance of a separate burn unit proposed by the then Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Padmashri Prof. K. Mathangi Ramakrishnan. The Government then sanctioned a 10 bedded BURN UNIT attached to the Department of Plastic Surgery and was commissioned in June 1981 at the First floor of the Guruswamy Mudaliar Block. In the same year, a proposal for upgrading the unit to a 50-bedded unit was envisaged. The Government then sanctioned the same which was commissioned in the first floor of the existing Out-Patient Block in March 1985 along with increase in the posts of Staff Nurses and Assistant Professors

INFRASTRUCTURE:

The Burns Unit at Government Kilpauk Medical College is one of the largest and most advanced burn care centres in South India. The department houses a 60-bedded comprehensive facility that includes an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and separate wards for male, female, pediatric, and post-operative patients, ensuring specialized care for every category.

A dedicated operation theatre complex, equipped with two OT tables and high-precision operating microscopes for both burns and plastic surgery, operates four days a week for burn surgeries and three days a week for plastic surgery. In addition, round-the-clock emergency procedures are performed in a fully equipped 24×7 emergency operation theatre, handling critical cases including burns, trauma, hand injuries, and facio-maxillary emergencies.

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of burn survivors. At our center, individualized rehabilitation plans are developed by a dedicated multidisciplinary burn team and are effectively implemented throughout the patient's recovery journey. The availability of in-house physiotherapy services is a significant advantage, promoting faster recovery and improved functional outcomes.

The department also houses a well-stocked medical library, featuring an extensive collection of textbooks and journals focused on burn care and plastic surgery, supporting continuous learning and research for both staff and students.

The department also houses an exclusive Skin Bank, maintained in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, which plays a crucial role in the management of extensive burn injuries. The availability of preserved skin grafts significantly enhances the quality of care for patients with large surface area burns.

Recently, highly sophisticated equipments, including a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit and a carbon dioxide laser, have been installed in the department. These advanced technologies are being actively utilized to enhance wound healing, reduce complications, and improve overall patient outcomes.

The BURNS Unit is the,

◈One of the largest burn units in South India

◈Serves as a tertiary referral centre for neighbouring states

◈Holds international recognition for excellence in burn care

◈Has trained numerous super-specialists in burns and plastic surgery over the past 40 years

◈Published several research articles in prestigious national and international journals

◈Contributed to multiple textbooks in burns and plastic surgery

◈Hosted visitors from burn centres worldwide

◈Designated as the apex training centre for the NHM-sponsored “Burns Management” training program and TNHSP-sponsored “Refresher Training Program on Burns Management”, educating medical personnel across the state

SERVICES:

24×7 Emergency ServicesEmergency care is available round-the-clock for burns, trauma, hand, And facio-maxillary injuries

BURNS CARE SERVICES:

◈24-hour comprehensive care for burn patients throughout the year

◈Dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for resuscitation and stabilization of critically burned patients

◈Separate wards for male, female, and pediatric burn patients

◈Self-contained operation theatre exclusively for burn patients

◈Specialized physiotherapy unit focused on patient rehabilitation

◈A dedicated dietician catering to the nutritional needs of burn patients

◈Rehabilitation plans devised by the multidisciplinary burn team

◈Regular follow-up and management of post-burn sequelae including surgery and splintage

◈Comprehensive burn care with all treatment modalities available under one roof

◈Annual public awareness campaigns and media outreach to reduce burn incidence

◈Every year, during Plastic surgery day (July 15th) festivities like Deepavali, we create public awareness to reduce the incidence of burn injuries by conducting camps and through Press.

Services offered in Plastic Surgery:

All plastic and reconstructive procedures are managed here effectively

◈Trauma Care

   ◈ Hand injuries

   ◈ Facio-maxillary injuries

◈Aesthetic Procedures

   ◈Gynaecomastia correction

   ◈Rhinoplasty

   ◈Abdominoplasty

   ◈Oculoplasty

   ◈Otoplasty

   ◈Liposuction

   ◈Laser treatments

   ◈Scar revision

   ◈Fat grafting

   ◈Hair transplantation

   ◈Mammoplasty

   ◈Congenital and Reconstructive Surgery

◈Cleft lip and palate repair

◈Microtia and anotia correction

◈Hypospadias repair

◈Hand Surgery

   ◈Congenital hand deformities

   ◈Replantation

   ◈Hand fracture management

◈Advanced Surgical Services

◈Oncoplastic reconstruction

◈Microvascular surgery

◈Peripheral nerve and brachial plexus surgery

◈Lymphedema treatment

◈Diabetic foot care

◈Chronic wound management

FACULTY:

STATISTICS:

MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING:

◈• M.Ch. Plastic Surgery Training Six M.Ch. Plastic Surgery postgraduate students are trained annually in comprehensive plastic surgery and burn care management. The M.Ch. Plastic Surgery program includes clinico-pathological conferences, theory classes,seminars, journal clubs, and case presentations to enhance clinical and research skills. Students engage in guest lectures, group discussions, and participate in state and national conferences, along with CME programs and specialized symposia to stay updated with advances in the field

◈• Inter-Institutional M.Ch. Training M.Ch. postgraduates from other medical institutions undergo specialized training in burn care as part of their academic curriculum.

◈• M.S. General Surgery Training M.S. (General Surgery) postgraduates are posted for one month for hands-on training in both burn care and plastic surgery during their course.

◈• Nursing Education in Burn Care Nursing students receive a one-month intensive training in burn nursing, emphasizing wound care, infection control, and patient rehabilitation.

◈• Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Training Students from both government and private institutions pursuing BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) and Occupational Therapy are trained in burn physiotherapy for one month during their internship, focusing on functional recovery and rehabilitation

PUBLICATIONS BY THE FACULTY:

PUBLICATIONS BY THE FACULTY:

ON-GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS:

◈ . A Randomized Control Study of Quantitative Analysis of Platelet Counts in Autologous PRP and their association with burn wound healing versus conventional management

◈ Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Second Degree deep and Third Degree Burns - Randomised Control Study

◈Comparison of Fractional CO2 LASER versus Fractional CO2 LASER with TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE in the management of hypertrophic scars and keloids

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

Awards in Conferences by M.Ch. Training Residents

◈• Best Paper Award at Mid-Term NABI, Hyderabad, 2023 – Dr. Ch. Tejaswi

◈• Best Poster Award at Mid-Term NABI, Hyderabad, 2023 – Dr. Catherine

◈• Runner-up for Best Paper at TANPAPS, Mahabalipuram, 2024 – Dr. Sai Karthik

◈• Best Paper Award at APRASCON, Kakinada, 2024 – Dr. Chaitanya

◈• 3rd Place in Poster Presentation at NABICON, Ranchi, 2024 – Dr.Chaitanya

Awards Received by Faculty:

◈• Best Doctor Award from KMC – Tamil Nadu Government

◈• Contribution as Faculty for Statewide Burns Training Program – National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:

◈ 6 M. Ch Plastic Surgery Post Graduate students are trained every year

◈ M. Ch Post graduates from other centers are trained in Burn Care during their curriculum

◈ M.S Post graduates are posted for training in Burn care and Plastic Surgery 1 month during their curriculum.

◈ Nursing Students are trained in Burn Nursing for 1 month during their curriculum

◈ BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) and Occupational therapy students, both government and private institutions are trained in Burn Physiotherapy for 1 month during their internship.

Publications of the Teacher

Funded Research projects

Awards

EVENTS IN DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERY:

NHM TRAINING PROGRAM ON BURNS MANAGEMENT

◈  KMC conducted a dedicated two-day training program for faculty members from AIIMS, focused on the establishment and operation of a Skin Bank. Given KMC's expertise in managing a well-established and fully functional skin bank, this initiative was organized to support AIIMS in setting up their own facility. The program covered essential aspects of skin banking, including infrastructure setup, procurement protocols, preservation techniques, and ethical practices, ensuring knowledge transfer from an experienced center to a developing one.

◈  KMC also provided special training for the people of AIIMS in starting “SKIN BANK”. As KMC has a well established and a fully functional skin bank and as AIIMS wanted to start a SKIN BANK we had organised a special training program for the same.

◈  Dr. CK Paul visited our Burns unit as a part of his central government scheme.

INAUGURATION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

◈  Honorable Health Minister of Tamil Nadu inaugurated and dedicated to the public a suite of state-of-the-art medical equipment worth ₹8.8 crores for the Department of Burns, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, KMC. The newly commissioned equipment included a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Laser, Operating Microscope, and Dermatome. These cutting-edge additions significantly enhance the department’s capabilities in advanced wound care, microsurgery, and burn management, marking a major step forward in patient care and surgical excellence.

WORLD PLASTIC SURGERY DAY CELEBRATION

◈World Plastic Surgery Day is celebrated annually on July 15. In commemoration of World Plastic Surgery Day , the Department of Burns, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery hosted a CME on Burns titled “RRR – Resuscitation, Reconstruction, Reinvention” on July 16.

◈The CME showcased a series of insightful talks and dynamic sessions led by renowned experts, covering topics such as the management of burn injuries and recent advances, reconstructive strategies, rehabilitation and the role of artificial intelligence in burn care, and the medico-legal aspects of burn injuries.

◈The program concluded with a state-level quiz competition for postgraduate students, with cash prizes awarded to the winners. The event successfully brought together renowned teachers and trainees to discuss innovations, challenges, and holistic approaches in burn care and plastic surgery.

STATEWIDE REFRESHER TRAINING ON BURNS MANAGEMENT

◈Burns is one of the six key pillars under the Trauma Accident Emergency Initiative (TAEI). As part of this initiative, the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP) has decided to conduct a one-day refresher training program on Burns Management for Doctors, Staff Nurses and Physiotherapists from all 38 districts of the state.

◈This training is organized by the Department of Burns at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, the designated Apex Centre for Burns in Tamil Nadu, and aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of 345 healthcare professionals representing 115 Government Hospitals across the state. The program covers critical aspects of burn care, including assessment, admission criteria, fluid resuscitation, burn wound management, infection control and sepsis, nutritional support, nursing care, and physiotherapy in burnpatients.

GALLERY