Plastic and reconstructive surgery is frequently mistaken for aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. At present, plastic surgery is a very broad discipline in which aesthetic surgery is an integral part. The majority of reconstructive op- erations, in particular on the body surface, include an aesthetic component. Their purpose is not only the restora- tion of function but also the achievement of optimal aesthetic results. The authors demonstrate examples on the vague bordeline between functional and aesthetic reconstruction and present their views on the medical indica- tion for these operations.

        Key words: plastic and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery