Reconstructive Surgery in Hackensack, New Jersey

As one of the nation’s most respected plastic surgeons, Dr. Gregory Rauscher is pleased to offer a comprehensive range of reconstructive surgery options at his Hackensack, New Jersey office.  From skin cancer treatment to plastic surgery after weight loss, he uses his finely honed surgical skills to produce consistently exceptional results, being always mindful of his patients’ comfort, safety, and unique needs.  His dedication to quality and compassionate manner puts patients at ease while his keen artistic eye allows him to create aesthetically pleasing results, even when performing procedures that aren’t primarily cosmetic.

Dr. Rauscher and his staff appreciate the opportunity to profoundly improve the health and quality of life of those patients who turn to him for reconstructive surgery.  If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rauscher to discuss your reconstructive surgery options, please contact our practice in Hackensack, New Jersey, serving Bergen County and the tristate area.

Skin Cancer Treatment/Cancer Reconstruction

Dr. Rauscher treats all types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.  The specific treatment method of treatment will depend on the type and extent of the cancer. Common methods of treatment include surgical excision, frozen section, and flap closure.  Using a variety of advanced techniques, Dr. Rauscher is able to reconstruct areas of the face that have been damaged by cancer, including the nose, cheeks, eyelids, lips, ears, chin, forehead, and other facial structures.  Depending on the extent of the tissue loss or damage, the reconstructive procedure may be relatively simple (such as the closure of a small area of missing scalp) or extremely complex (such as the reconstruction of the inner structures of the nose).  In all cases, Dr. Rauscher uses his superb artistic sensibilities to ensure the most natural-looking results possible.

Dr. Rauscher collaborates with many well established Mohs surgeons. After Mohs treatment he frequently repairs the cancer defect to obtain a more natural appearance.  The best skin cancer treatment is, of course, prevention. At Dr. Rauscher’s Hackensack, New Jersey office, he can examine and if necessary, remove skin lesions while they are still in their pre-cancerous state or recommend topical chemotherapy.

Scar Revision

Dr. Rauscher performs scar revision treatment to improve the appearance of a scar anywhere on the face or body.  Discoloration, surface irregularities, and subtle scar characteristics may require laser treatment, surgical excision, or topical therapy.  In a non pressured environment the options available to you will be discussed with Dr. Rauscher.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common of all congenital deformities.  A cleft lip occurs when there is a separation in the lip, which can take the form of a small indentation in the lip or a gap that extends into the nostril.  A cleft palate occurs when there is a gap in the roof of the mouth.  Fortunately, both of these defects can be corrected with reconstructive surgery.  Dr. Rauscher is very accomplished in cleft lip surgery. Generally Dr. Rauscher makes incisions on the borders of the cleft lip, reshapes the tissue to close the cleft lip, and then will close the skin incisions.  The lip will function normally and, over time, look quite natural.  Cleft palate repair works on a similar principle; Dr. Rauscher makes an incision on either side of the cleft and reshapes the tissue to re-create the roof of the mouth.

Feminine Genital Cosmetic Surgery: Labia Reduction and Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is for women with overly large and/or asymmetric labia. Labia reduction and labiaplasty is performed to improve the overall appearance and remove one of the common barriers to sexual pleasure. In extreme cases enlarged labia can cause urine infection. Labia reduction reduces the outward appearance and corrects obvious irregularities of the labia.

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and often debilitating condition, caused by pressure on the median nerve (the nerve that provides sensation to the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and part of the ring finger).  In carpal tunnel release, Dr. Rauscher makes an incision in the palm, through which he cuts the transverse carpal ligament.  This surgery relieves the pressure on the median nerve, thereby reducing or eliminating the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Endoscopic surgery uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached (endoscope). The endoscope is guided through a small incision in the wrist. The endoscope permits visualization of the structures in the wrist, such as the transverse carpal ligament, without opening the entire palm with a large incision.The cutting tools used in endoscopic surgery are very tiny inserted through the small incisions in the wrist. In the single portal technique, one small tube contains both a camera and a cutting tool.

Dupuytren’s Contracture Correction

Dupuytren’s disease is marked by a contracture of the deep tissue that lies beneath the skin of the palm.  The palm and fingers can become disfigured and the fingers can be pulled into a bent position.  This condition can often be correction with surgery, during which Dr. Rauscher removes the affected tissue and, if necessary, uses skin grafts or local flaps to restore the palm.

Craniofacial and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Maxillofacial reconstruction is a highly complex surgical procedure that requires specialized training and exceptional surgical skills.  For more than 14 years Dr. Rauscher has headed the New Jersey maxillofacial trauma and reconstruction team where he managed all types of craniofacial and maxillofacial injuries, Dr. Rauscher  has the talent and training to restore soft and hard tissues of the face, head, neck, and jaws that have been affected by trauma, disease, or congenital defects.  The specific method of treatment depends on the location and type of damage. Possible reconstructive treatments include bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, the insertion of implants, and surgical excision of abnormal tissue.

Concurrent Abdominal Reconstruction with Gynecologic Surgery

Uterine fibroids, or myomas, are fibrous tissues that can grow in the uterine wall.  In most cases, fibroids are harmless; however, when they grow too large, they can lead to pain, pressure, and bleeding. Women who have had a growth removed from their ovaries or uterus frequently require reconstruction of the lower abdominal wall.  Many women elect to undergo hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) to treat fibroids or myomectomy.  Myomectomy involves the surgical removal of uterine fibroids to relieve the adverse symptoms associated with the enlarged tissues. Dr. Rauscher frequently performs abdominal wall reconstruction (tummy tuck) which restores tone and strength to the abdominal region after the hysterectomy or myomectomy is performed by the OB/GYN.

Plastic Surgery after Bariatric Surgery

People who lose massive amounts of weight – whether through bariatric surgery, diet, and/or exercise – experience dramatic improvements in their health.  Unfortunately, they also find that the skin that once housed the extra weight tends to linger behind, no longer able to conform to their new body shape.  For these people, Dr. Rauscher offers plastic surgery after massive weight loss at his Hackensack, New Jersey practice, from total body, arm, knee and thigh lifts.  During this surgery, Dr. Rauscher removes excess skin and tissue to produce a more pleasing body contour that perfectly complements the trimmer and healthier patient’s physique.

Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a fluid filled sac. It is usually found on the wrist or fingers. It can change in size growing rapidly larger or occasionally shrinking. Ganglion cysts are benign and are caused by underlying inflammation. Sometimes they occur after injury; sometimes their cause is unknown. The fluid filled sac of a ganglion cyst emanates via a stalk from a tendon sheath or joint. Increasing irritation of the underlying structures causes production of more lubrication fluid. It is this fluid that fills the cyst cavity. A cyst can interfere with joint motion. It can be uncomfortable at rest or with grasping and lifting. Initial treatment of a small ganglion cyst consists of anti-inflammatory medicine and a splint. For more advanced cysts, an injection/aspiration may be necessary. If other methods are unsuccessful, surgical excision may be recommended.

Congenital Defects

Congenital deformities of the hand, that is, deformities a child is born with, can interfere with proper hand growth and cause significant problems in the use of the hand.  Fortunately, with modern surgical techniques most defects can be corrected as a very early age in some cases during infancy, in others at two or three years allowing normal development and functioning of the hand.

One of the most common congenital defect is syndactyly, in which two or more finger are fused together.  Surgical correction involves cutting the tissue that connects the fingers, then grafting skin from another part of the body (the procedure is more complicated if bones are also fused.)  Surgery can usually provide full range of motion and a fairly normal appearance, although the color or the grafted skin may be slightly different from the rest of the hand.

Other common congenital defects include short or missing, or deformed fingers, immobile tendons, and abnormal nerves or blood vessels.  In most cases, these defects can be treated surgically and significant improvement can be expected.

If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery after weight loss, skin cancer treatment, or any other reconstructive surgery option, please contact our Hackensack, New Jersey office in Bergen County today.  Dr. Rauscher would be pleased to discuss your surgical options with you in a confidential, one-on-one consultation.