OPENING
IMAJ | volume 27
Journal 8, August 2025
pages: 479-481
Plastic Surgery in Israel: From Wartime Readiness to Elective Excellence
1 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, affiliated with Hadassah–Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
2 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Burn Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
3 Talpiot Leadership Program, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
Summary
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a specialty that has an important place in the surgical field. Plastic surgeons cooperate with all surgical disciplines to solve complex multidisciplinary surgical cases. This issue of the Israel Medical Association Journal (IMAJ) covers some of the groundbreaking treatments being performed by plastic surgeons in Israel.
The articles show the wide and complex range of issues where plastic surgery is needed, including hospital-based breast reconstructions, oncologic resections, and innovative lymphedema surgery, as well as aesthetic procedures. The efforts of plastic surgeons have been especially highlighted due to the Iron Swords war, which started on 7 October 2023. Injuries included complex burns and amputations that required attention under fire. In addition, advances were achieved through cutting‑edge reconstructive microsurgical traumatic solutions. Together, these articles highlight how Israeli teams have leveraged experience in trauma, high‑volume civilian and military caseloads and innovative inspirations that have generated knowledge that may be broadly applicable to surgeons worldwide.