Welcome to Cosmoplast

It is difficult to say what is impossible,
for the dream of yesterday
is the hope of today
and the reality of tomorrow

R. Goddard, rocket scientist

Plastic, Reconstructive, and Esthetic surgery is a medical specialism encompassing a large number of different surgical interventions. Some of these aim at the correction of deformities caused by congenital abnormalities, cancer, or physical trauma. Other operations are carried out as esthetic interventions in order to create harmonious body proportions. Reconstructive and esthetic surgery are complementary; a functional reconstruction will not be used when it produces an esthetically unacceptable result. On the other hand, knowledge and experience obtained during reconstructive interventions are extremely useful for demanding esthetic corrections.

This website addresses some aspects of both reconstructive as well as of esthetic surgery. This information is meant to prepare you in advance for a consultation of your plastic surgeon, or as reminder of the information given during such a consultation.

Remember that the information and guidelines given here are only global. An individualized approach and diagnosis is necessary in every case. There is no exception to this rule

Your Plastic Surgeon

N.K. Sinsel (M.D. Ph.D).finished her medical training at the University of Limburg in Maastricht, the Netherlands with the reception of a Cum Laude degree. During her continued medical training she studied and worked euregionally in the departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Academic Hospital of the Maastricht University (the Netherlands), the Academic Hospital of the Leuven University (Belgium) and the Academic Klinikum in Aachen (Germany).
After receiving her medical degree, she was trained in plastic, reconstructive and esthetic surgery at the University Hospital of Leuven (Belgium). During that period she carried out scientific research that leaded up the defense of her Ph.D. thesis at the Catholic University of Leuven on the subject of craniofacial growth disturbances after facial palsy.
She attended a large number of international congresses, held several international oral presentations, and published various articles on diverse subjects in the plastic surgery field in The American Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, one of the most prestigious journals in the field.
As a surgeon she is specialized in the management of nerve lesions and congenital benign soft tissue deformities, as well as in esthetic surgery.

Scientific Education, Career and Contributions
15/17-5-1997:	Euraps Award (European Society of Plastic Surgery) Research category
19-12-1997:	Certificate of the course on Laboratory Animal Science Category C, Organized by the Belgian Council for Laboratory Animal Science (BCLAS), according to the recommendations of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA).
18-6-1999:	PhD thesis defense on the subject: The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment modalities upon craniofacial growth and development: An experimental study in the rabbit.
23-11-2002:	Oscar Award of the Belgian Society of Plastic and reconstructive surgery concerning: The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment modalities upon craniofacial growth and development: An experimental study in the rabbit.
August 1-26, 2004:	Scientific and clinical sabbatical for Facial Palsy at the International Institute of reconstructive microsurgery, Prof. J.K. Terzis, MD PhD, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

Attended International Meetings
1.	Versalius Course, Microsurgical dissection of free flaps and their clinical applications. March 25-27, 1992: Brussel, Belgium.
2.	Euraps (European Association of Plastic Surgery), 5th Anual Meeting. May 12-14, 1994: Geneva, Switserland.
3.	12th Congress of the International Microsurgical Society. Oct. 2-7, 1994: Nara, Japan.
4.	4th International Muscle Symposium. March 23-25, 1995: Zurich, Switserland.
5.	Group Advancement Microchirurgie. May 25-27, 1995: Lille, France.
6.	4th International Symposium on Microsurgery in Recontructive & Plastic Surgery, Oct. 2-3, 1995: Jena, Germany.
7.	13th Congress of the International Microsurgical Society. June 19-23, 1996: Montreal, Canada.
8.	VIII International Symposium on the Facial Nerve, April 13-18, 1997, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
9.	Würzburger Kurs für mikrovasculäre Chirurgie in der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde. April 24-26, 1997: Würzburg, Germany.
10.	8th Esser Course on Paediatric Plastic Surgery. May 12-14, 1997: Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
11.	Euraps, 8th Annual Meeting, May 15-17, 1997, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
12.	New developments in face lift and eye lid surgery December 6-7, 1997: Munich, Germany.
13.	American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 77th Annual Meeting, May 17-20, 1998, Monteal, Canada.
14.	Euraps, 9th Annual Meeting May 28-30, 1998, Verona, Italy.
15.	Update on electrical stimulation in the denervated muscle. June 20, 1998, Aachen, Germany.
16.	International Symposium on vascular diseases. November 21, 1998, Leuven, Belgium.
17.	13th Annual British Virgin Island Workshop in Plastic Surgery January 25-29, 1999, Road Town, Tortola.
18.	Euraps 10th Annual Meeting, May 20-22, 1999, Madrid, Spain
19.	Giants in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics of the Aging Face. November 17-20, 1999, New York, USA.
20.	5th International Muscle Symposium, May 19-21, 2000 Vienna, Austria.
21.	Euraps, 11th Annual Meeting June 1-3, 2000, Berlin, Germany
22.	Functional bladder reconstruction May 18, 2001, AZM Maastricht, The Netherlands
23.	37eme congres annuel de la societe suisse de chirurgie plastique reconstructive et esthetique September 7-8, 2001, Geneva, Switserland
24.	Inaugural Congress of The World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery October 31-November 3, 2001, Taipei, Taiwan.
25.	16th Annual British Virgin Island Workshop in Plastic Surgery January 28-2 Februari 1, 2002, Road Town, Tortola.
26.	Euraps, 13th Annual Meeting May 30-June 1, 2002, Crete, Greece
27.	17th Annual British Virgin Island Workshop in Plastic Surgery January 27-January 31, 2003, Road Town, Tortola.
28.	Euraps, 14th Annual Meeting May 29-31, 2003, Vienna, Austria
29.	Second Congress of The World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery June 11-14, 2003, Heidelberg, Germany
30.	18th Annual British Virgin Island Workshop in Plastic Surgery February 2-6, 2004: St. John, USVI
31.	4th Coupure Seminars May 6-7, 2004: Gent Belgium
32.	Euraps, 15th Annual Meeting May 27-29, 2004: Genoa. Italy
33.	11th Esser Course, Aesthetics in facial reconstruction: New perspectives May 20-21, 2005, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
34.	Euraps, 16th Annual Meeting May 26-28, 2005, Marseille France

Oral presentations at National and International Meetings
1.	Craniofacial growth and development after neckburn injury at young age: an experimental study in the rabbit. N. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, P. Guelinckx Belgium Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery, Autumn meeting Nov. 1993, Morlanwelz Belgium.
2.	Large AV-malformation of the forearm: accesable for surgery? N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx. Belgium Hand Group, May 1994, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium.
3.	Large AV-malformation of the forearm: accesable for surgery? N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx. Dutch Society for Handsurgery, May 1994, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
4.	Craniofacial growth and development as related to facial paralysis. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H. Opdebeeck. Symposium of Experimental Surgery, sept. 18, 1995, KUL, Belgium.
5.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment by nerve repair upon craniofacial growth and development; an experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, F. Decock, P.J. Guelinckx. VIII International Symposium on the Facial Nerve, April 13-18, 1997, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
6.	Chair of session 7: Central and Peripheral Changes following Nerve Injury. K. Murakawa (Japan), N.K. Sinsel (Belgium) VIII International Symposium on the Facial Nerve, April 13-18, 1997, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
7.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment by nerve repair upon craniofacial growth and development; an experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, F. Decock, P.J. Guelinckx. Euraps, 8th Annual Meeting, May 15-17, 1997, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Prize of best paper - Research Category
8.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis on craniofacial growth and development. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H. Opdebeeck. 19th Meeting of the Dutch Society on Facial Paralysis, November 14, 1997, Groningen, The Netherlands.
9.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment by nerve repair upon craniofacial growth and development; an experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, F. Decock, P.J. Guelinckx. American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 77th Annual Meeting, May 17-20, 1998, Monteal, Canada.
10.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment by nerve repair upon craniofacial growth and development; an experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, F. Decock, P.J. Guelinckx. 20th Meeting of the Dutch Society on Facial Paralysis, November 6, 1998, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
11.	Growth mechanisms explaining the craniofacial growth alterations observed after unilateral partial facial paralysis. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H. Opdebeeck Euraps 10th Annual Meeting, May 20-22, 1999, Madrid, Spain
12.	The effect of muscle transplantation after unilateral partial facial paralysis upon craniofacial growth and development. relation with muscle and nerve histomorphometrical findings. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx 5th International Muscle Symposium, May 19-21, 2000, Vienna, Austria.
13.	Growth mechanisms explaining the craniofacial growth alterations observed after unilateral partial facial paralysis. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx IX th International Facial Nerve Symposium, July 29-Aug 1, 2001, San Francisco, USA.
14.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and its treatment modalities on craniofacial growth. N.K. Sinsel The 2004 Versalius Course, September 23-25, 2004, Brussels, Belgium
15.	Chair of Session 16: Dynamic Surgical Correction of facial paralysis A.O. Grobbelaar, N. Sinsel 10th International Facial Nerve Symposium, September 4-7, 2005, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Co-authored abstracts at National and International Meetings
1.	Choledochoscopic experience in common bile duct exploration: a retrospective study: 1981-1989. B. Devos, N. Sinsel, F. Bongaerts, J. Munting. 17th European Federation Congress, Internal College of Surgeons, June 1991, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2.	Parodidectomy: long term results 1972-1990. J. Debets, N. Sinsel, J. Munting. Surgical days, May 1992, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
3.	Free TRAM breast reconstruction using the internal mammary artery and superficial jugular vein as recipient vessels. W. Boeckx, M. vandeVoort, P. Guelinckx, N. Sinsel. The European Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery IPRAS, June 1993, Berlin, Germany.
4.	Craniofacial growth after neckburns: an experimental study. P. Guelinckx, N. Sinsel, H. opdeBeeck, E. LeSaffre. Vth International Congress - International Society of Cranio-Facial Surgery, Oct. 24-26, 1993, Oaxaca, Mexico.
5.	Thumb reconstruction by means of the microvascular serratus muscle-fascia-rib flap: the so called Eva procedure. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. Dutch Society for Handsurgery, May 1994, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
6.	Nosereconstruction: epithesis or reconstructive surgery? P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. Lustrum Dutch Society of ENT, Oct.13-14, 1994, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
7.	Opponens function after total hand reimplantation. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. GAM, May 25-27, 1995, Lille, France.
8.	Nasal reconstruction, a challenge to the plastic surgeon. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. GAM, May 25-27 1995, Lille, France.
9.	Anal Sphincter reconstruction with the gluteus maximus muscle: conventional and dynamic gluteoplasty. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel, J.A. Gruwez. XII Grenzland Symposium "Update in colorectal surgery", March 15-16, 1996, Liege, Belgium.
10.	Dynamic long-standing facial reconstruction: How to overcome the uncertain and long-lasting cross-face-nerve-graft procedure. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. 6th Annual meeting of hellenic society for reconstructive microsurgery, Oct. 9-13, 1996, Crete, Greece.
11.	One-stage minigracilis muscle transplantation for reanimation of the midface after longstanding facial paralysis. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel VIII International Symposium on the Facial Nerve, April 13-18, 1997, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
12.	Iatrogenic nerve lesions: our current approach. P.J. Guelinckx, B. Van Nimmen, N.K. Sinsel Belgian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oct. 11, 1997, Liege, Belgium.
13.	One-stage mini-gracilis muscle transplantation for reanimation of the midface after longstanding facial paralysis. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Xeme video-forum de chirurgie plastique et esthetique, June 26-27, 1998, Toulouse, France.
14.	The dorsalis pedis flap with vascularised tendon grafts for handreconstructions. P.J. Guelinckx, N.Sinsel, G. Fabré Belgian Hand Group, January 9, 1999, Brugge, Belgium.
15.	One-stage Minigracilis Muscle Transplantation for Reanimation of the Midface after Longstanding Facial Paralysis. Paul J. Guelinckx, Nadja K. Sinsel Fifth international muscle symposium, May 19-21, 2000, Vienna, Austria
16.	Biceps Muscle Reconstruction: Experimental and Clinical Data Paul J. Guelinckx, N adja K. Sinsel Fifth international muscle symposium, May 19-21, 2000, Vienna, Austria
17.	Progress in larynx-sparing surgery for glottic cancer through tracheal transplantation P.J. Guelinckx, N. Sinsel, B. Vandenhof, P. Delaere Euraps 11th Annual Meeting, June 1-3, 2000, Berlin.
18.	Surgical management of facial paralysis: a review of our current approach. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel IX th International Facial Nerve Symposium, July 29-Aug 1, 2001, San Francisco, USA.
19.	Simultaneous vascularized fibula and latissimus dorsi transfer for large tibia defects. L. Makmur, N. Sinsel, B. Oelbrandt, P. Guelinckx Belgian Society of Plastic Surgery, October 13, 2001, Spa, Belgium.
20.	Reconstructieve Chirurgie bij facialisproblematiek van jong tot oud. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel 23 th Meeting of the Dutch Society on Facial Paralysis, November 23, 2001, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
21.	The Eve procedure, ten years of follow up P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Benelux Meeting of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, November 23, 2002, Affligem, Belgium
22.	Surgical management of facial paralysis P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel KNGF congres, November 7-8, 2003, Den Haag, The Netherlands
23.	Complications in dynamic facial reanimation: How did we solve them? P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel 10th International Facial Nerve Symposium, September 4-7, 2005, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Scientific Publications
1.	Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Report of two cases and a plea for surgical reconstruction. N. Sinsel, J. Samijn, M. vonMeyenfeldt, P. Soeters, R.Krause. The European Journal of Surgery, 161: 365-368, 1995.
2.	Neurovascular intact muscle transposition for anal sphincter repair. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel, J.A. Gruwez, M. Lammers, Y. Bourgeois. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, 38: 878-885, 1995.
3.	Reconstructieve chirurgie als alternatief voor epithese na chirurgie bij carcinoom van de neuspunt en het vestibulum nasi. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 17 juni: 1258-1259, 1995.
4.	Maxillofacial growth after neckburn injury at young age: an experimental study in the rabbit. N. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, E. LeSaffre, W. Wieland, P. Guelinckx. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 96: 1588-1599, 1995.
5.	Peculiar indications for the pedicled or free rectus abdominis flap in reconstructive surgery. A review of our experience. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 95: 289-296, 1995.
6.	Gluteus muscle transposition for anal sphincter repair. The first electrically paced gluteoplasty: a two years follow up. Guelinckx PJ, Sinsel NK, Gruwez JA, Habets F, Dom R . Proceedings of the 4th International Muscle Symposium, eds M.Frey, P. Giovanoli, chapter 64, p226-229, 1995.
7.	Refinements in the One-Stage Procedure for the Management of Chronic Osteomyelitis. Guelinckx, P.J., Sinsel N.K. Microsurgery, 16: 606-611, 1995.
8.	The Eve-procedure: transfer of vascularised seventh rib, fascia and serratus muscle for reconstruction of difficult defects. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 97: 527-535, 1996.
9.	The use of cryopreserved allograft material in the plastic and reconstructive surgery field. Guelinckx, P.J., Sinsel, N.K. International Proceedings of 'The 4th International Conference European Association of Tissue Banks, Jr Chr Byk, A Lechat, R von Versen eds., Monduzzi Editore, p63-74, 1996.
10.	Experimental investigation of expanded myocutaneous flaps in rabbits. Guelinckx, P.J., Sinsel, N.K. De Mayer A. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 19: 191-196, 1996.
11.	Transplantation and transposition of the temporoparietale fascia flap. A workhorse for the plastic surgeon. P.J. Guelinckx, N.Vos, N.K.Sinsel European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 19: 185-190, 1996.
12.	Anal Sphincter reconstruction with the gluteus maximus muscle: anatomical and physiological considerations. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K.Sinsel, J.A. Gruwez Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 98: 293-302, 1996.
13.	Muscle transplantation for reconstruction of a smile after facial paralysis: past, present and future. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Microsurgery, 17: 391-401, 1996.
14.	Comptemporary Muscle Morphology as related to Nerve Pathology. Guelinckx, P.J., Sinsel, N.K., Dom, R. Chapter 65, p 663-668 in: Management of Peripheral Nerve Problems, 2nd edition, edited by Omer, G.E., Spinner, M., Van Beek, A.L, WB Saunders Company, 1998.
15.	Intercostal nerve grafting procedure as a new treatment for long-term postthoracotomy pain. Guelinckx, P.J., Sinsel, N.K, Lerut, T. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 21: 139-146, 1998.
16.	Surgical management of vascular malformations of the upper extremity. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Proceedings of the 7th IFSSH Congress 1998, Eds. Roth & Richards, Monduzzi Editore, p 873-885, 1998.
17.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis and muscle ablation upon craniofacial growth and development. Relation with muscle histomorphometrical findings. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, P.J. Guelinckx Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 102: 1894-1912, 1998.
18.	Dynamic reconstruction of long-standing facial paralysis. How to overcome the uncertain and long-lasting cross face nerve graft procedure. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. In: New horizons in facial nerve research and facial expression. Proceedings of the VIII International Symposium on the facial Nerve 1997. Eds. Yanagihara & Murakami, Kugler Publications The Hague, The Netherlands: p 465-470, 1998.
19.	The effect of nerve repair after unilateral partial facial paralysis upon craniofacial growth and development. Relation with muscle- and nerve histomorphometrical findings. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H. Opdebeeck Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 104: 445-463, 1999.
20.	The effect of unilateral partial facial paralysis on nasofrontal sutural growth. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H.Opdebeeck Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 103: 1887-1892, 1999.
21.	Facial contour restoration for the treatment of Barraquer Simons syndrome using two free anterolateral thigh flaps. a report of two cases. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 105: 1730-1736, 2000.
22.	The effect of muscle transplantation after unilateral partial facial paralysis upon craniofacial growth and development. Relation with muscle and nerve histomorphometrical findings. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx, H. Opdebeeck Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 105: 111-127, 2000. Discussion by M. Frey: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 105: 128-129, 2000.
23.	One-stage Minigracilis Muscle Transplantation for Reanimation of the Midface after Longstanding Facial Paralysis. Paul J. Guelinckx, Nadja K. Sinsel Proceedings of the fifth international muscle symposium, Chapter 47 Eds. M.Frey, P. Giovanoli, R. Koller, ISBN 3-9250611-0-8, Vienna, p 143-148, 2000.
24.	Biceps Muscle Reconstruction: Experimental and Clinical Data Paul J. Guelinckx, Nadja K. Sinsel Proceedings of the fifth international muscle symposium, Chapter 26 Eds. M.Frey, P. Giovanoli, R. Koller, ISBN 3-9250611-0-8, 2000, p 78-81, 2000.
25.	The effect of muscle transplantation after unilateral partial facial paralysis upon craniofacial growth and development. Relation with muscle and nerve histomorphometrical findings. N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx Proceedings of the fifth international muscle symposium, Chapter 41 Eds. M.Frey, P. Giovanoli, R. Koller, ISBN 3-9250611-0-8, Vienna, p 118-127, 2000.
26.	Recente evoluties in esthetische en reconstructieve borstchirurgie P. J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 56: 765-772, 2000.
27.	Mandibular condylar growth alterations after unilateral partial facial paralysis. An experimental study in the rabbit. N.K. Sinsel, H. Opdebeeck, P.J. Guelinckx Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 109: 181-189, 2002.
28.	An unusual cause of clitoral enlargement: its differential diagnosis and surgical treatment. P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 102: 192-195, 2002.
29.	Toe transfer for the reconstruction of digital injuries P.J. Guelinckx, N.K. Sinsel, B. Defrene Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 102: 152-158, 2002.
30.	The Effect of Unilateral Partial Facial Paralysis upon Periosteal Growth at the Muscle-Bone Interface[MBI] of Facial Muscles and Facial Bones N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 111: 1432-43, 2003.
31.	An algorithm in the surgical management of midface reanimation: A review of our current Approach to midface reanimation N.K. Sinsel, P.J. Guelinckx The Facial Palsies. Complementary approaches. Chapter 17, Lemma Publishers, Utrecht 2005. Eds. C.Beurskens, R. van Gelder, P. Heymans, J. Manni, JP. Nicolai. ISBN 90-5931-350-X; Lemma Publisher, Utrecht, p215-226, 2005.