The Impact of Climate-Related Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change, have significant implications for medicine, particularly in the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Current research indicates that limb injuries, soft tissue trauma, and burns are among the most common injuries sustained during natural disasters. The immediate need for surgical interventions, such as wound closures, skin grafts, amputations, and limb salvage techniques, underscores the vital role of plastic and reconstructive surgery in disaster response. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection on March 4, 2025. All English-language original research studies that described climate-related natural disasters, extreme weather, or pollution requiring plastic and reconstructive surgery intervention were screened and included in this review. A total of 35 studies met our criteria for final analysis. A larger number of studies were published in recent years, with the majority of studies from high-income countries (n=26, 74.3%). Hand and lower extremity surgeries were the most common after a weather event (n=22, 62.9%), followed by general (n=11, 31.4%), burn (n=8, 22.9%), craniofacial (n=4, 11.4%), and breast reconstruction (n=3, 8.6%). This scoping review highlights the growing relevance of climate-related events to the field, underscoring the need for improved emergency preparedness among plastic surgeons. As weather events continue to worsen, further research is essential to quantify their impact and guide future clinical response.