RT Journal
A1 Belfer ML, Harrison AM, Murray JE
T1 BOdy image and the process of reconstructive surgery
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1979
FD May 1
VO 133
IS 5
SP 532
OP 535
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130050076016
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130050076016
AB • Newer craniofacial operative techniques produce rapid changes in objective appearance and permit the study of body-image change. In 21 patients with either Crouzon's disease or Alpert's syndrome, a four-factor model of body-image development was applied that emphasizes cognitive growth, perception of body stimuli, stimuli from the environment in the form of comparison, and the response from others. Before a child is of school age, he has substantially defined his body image, therefore corrective surgery must be considered earlier. Although surgical intervention may produce significant objective physical change, there is not a correspondingly rapid change in body image. Four phases in the modification of body image are (1) the decision to undergo surgery, (2) the operative experience, (3) the immediate postoperative period, and (4) the reintegration stage. Recognition of this phasic process will help integrate care of these patients.(Am J Dis Child 133:532-535, 1979)