P

Panniculectomy	A surgical procedure in which massive excess of abdominal skin including subcutaneous fat is excised. This operation is typically offered to patients with a BMI between 30-35 BMI units.
Papilla	The nipple itself, without the pigmented surrounding skin. In describing both structures, this is referred to as the papilla-areola complex.
Parkland formula	The formula used to calculate the amount of IV fluid (Ringer’s-lactate solution) a patient with major burns should receive during the first 24 hours. Indication for fluid therapy is: – Adults (and children over 15 years) with burns over 20% – Children with burns over 10% The formula is: 3 ml x weight in kg x burned surface area (TBSA) E.g.: 3 ml x 75 kg x 25% = 5,825 liter over 24 hours.  The first half is given 0-8 hours after the burn, while the second half is given 8-24 hours after the burn. Link: https://plastsurgeon.com/burns-treatment/calculating-fluid-resuscitation/
Péan	Surgical curved plier used to hold/squeeze tissues, e. g. a blood vessel before bonding. It can also be used for holding the surgery cover or for dissection through thin tissue. Link: https://plastsurgeon.com/surgical-instruments-2/clamps/
Perforant	A blood vessel that originates from a deeper-lying vessel, that travels through an underlying muscle or intermuscular septum. The perforant supplies cutis and subcutis with blood. Flaps can be based on specific perforators like the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap.
Perichondrium	The dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds certain types of cartilage, such as the cartilage of the outer ear or nose. It is important for blood supply to cartilage and thus also the maintenance and growth of cartilage.
Periost	Dense connective tissue lining parts of the bone.
PDT (photodynamic therapy)	Used by dermatologists to treat actinic keratosis and basocellular carcinomas. The skin area is applied with a cream containing a substance that is absorbed into metabolically active cells (especially cancer cells). Upon subsequent light irradiation, cells are killed due to the formation of free oxygen radicals.
Physiotulle	Hydrocolloid based bandage used as a wound contact layer to prevent drying of the wound and to ease bandage change.
Polydactyly	The presence of extra fingers or toes. Meaning you have 6 or more fingers/toes. It can be completely developed with all joints or consist of extra growth of an outer joint.
Polyfilamentary suture	Suture consisting of several thin filaments weaved together.
Primary breast reconstruction	Following full or partial removal of the breast, this is reconstructed in the same session. (see breast reconstruction section).
Primary suturing/ primary wound closure	Suturing of a wound within 6 hours. It can be applied to wounds where contamination is not suspected (not bite wounds or heavily contaminated wounds).
Proliferative phase (wound healing)	The third of four stages in the wound healing process. Day 4 to 24. Cell growth, capillary formation, granulation tissue formation, overtime coverage of the wound with epithelial cells. Link: https://plastsurgeon.com/wound-management/phases-of-wound-healing/acute-wound-healing/
Punch biopsy	A tissue sample is taken from the skin with an instrument with a circular blade. The blade diameter can range from 3mm – 8mm. It makes it quick and easy to take a skin biopsy for the diagnosis of suspected skin cancer.
Punctum maximum	This indicates the highest point of an elevated structure.