The Department of Plastic Surgery at PGI Chandigarh is hosting the 18th Annual Conference of the North Zone Association of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPSCON Chandigarh) from 3rd to 4th February 2024 at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Professor Atul Parashar, the Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery and President of the North Zone Association of Plastic Surgeons, informed that more than 130 Plastic Surgeons from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh will be participating in the meeting. Additionally, there will be Guest Faculty from all over India to discuss recent advances in the vast discipline of Plastic surgery.
Dr. Tarush Gupta, the organizing secretary of the conference, informed that the conference was inaugurated by Prof. Naresh Panda, Dean, PGI. Prof. Parashar highlighted that plastic surgeons undertake a variety of procedures, including maxillofacial trauma, craniofacial surgery, head and neck cancer, hand injuries, major skin losses, breast reconstructions after mastectomy, management of cleft lip and palate deformities, and the management of the deformities of the external genitalia, among others. These annual meetings have enabled Plastic Surgeons in the region to share their clinical and research experiences with their peers. It also provides an opportunity for Plastic Surgery residents to interact with their senior colleagues.
Prof. Parashar mentioned that there is often confusion among the lay public regarding the specialty of Plastic Surgery. People generally perceive plastic surgeons as cosmetic surgeons catering only to the affluent class, mainly due to portrayals in the media and entertainment industries where plastic surgery is usually associated with cosmetic procedures. However, the specialty covers virtually all regions of the body, from head to toe.
Dr. Sunil Gaba from PGI informed that the scientific proceedings will continue for 2 days and will include sessions on Aesthetic surgery, microvascular surgery, burn injuries, and craniofacial clefts, in addition to symposia addressing common plastic surgery problems in the region.