Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is a discipline dedicated to the restoration of defects caused by congenital or acquired defects of the head and face. These defects range from craniofacial defects discovered early in life, to skin cancer defects, to traumatic injury, to the process of aging. 

Created in September 2004, this division has become extremely busy with more than 400 procedures performed each year. Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery works closely with many other divisions in the department to provide excellent multidisciplinary approaches to complicated diseases. The division is dedicated to research in the field of tissue engineering, as well as teaching residents and fellows the art and science of the field.

Before & after photos of nose

Clinical Reconstruction
With the incidence of skin cancers growing, the need for reconstruction of facial defects also has increased. Local flap reconstruction of these defects requires a thorough understanding of the principles of soft tissue surgery and the ability to borrow tissue from one location and move it to another.

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is a part of the Head and Neck Cancer Program and works closely with dermatologic surgeons to repair defects of the head and neck. Clinical procedures include orbital, perioral, nasal and scalp reconstruction, as well as complicated repairs of the lacrimal system; a multidisciplinary approach often is applied.

Other reconstructive procedures include functional rhinoplasty and correction of facial paralysis, as well as scar revision and repair of facial fractures. This division is also part of the cleft and craniofacial anomalies team, providing surgical support to patients with cleft lips, cleft palates, micrognathia, Microtia, and other anomalies of the head and neck.

Rejuvenation of the Aging Face
Reconstruction includes fighting the effects of the aging process. Procedures offered include rhytidectomy, browlift, blepharoplasty, midface lift, malar and chin augmentation, as well as skin resurfacing, botox, and injectable fillers.

Education
The faculty of this division provides seminars and free talks on a regular basis to the community, as well as other disciplines within the university. Lectures are also provided to residents and fellows within the department to complete their training requirements — one-fourth of their training and board certification involves facial plastic and reconstruction.

Key Faculty
 Krishna G. Patel, MD, PhD - Assistant Professor
 Judith M. Skoner, MD - Assistant Professor, Chief Otolaryngology, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

A multidisciplinary approach is often utilized in complex head and neck reconstruction. Other faculty members contributing to this division include the head and neck oncology team (Terry Day, MD, M. Boyd Gillespie, MD, and Joshua Hornig, MD), rhinology division (Rodney Schlosser, MD, and Mark Hoy, MD), pediatric otolaryngology (Lucinda Halstead, MD, and David White, MD), otology (Paul Lambert, MD, and Ted Meyer, MD), and oculoplastic and dermatology faculty. This collaboration enables patients to receive the highest quality of care.

Key Equipment/Resources
The facial plastics division combines the newest techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery with both state-of-the-art and time-tested techniques in facial restoration. Computer imaging technology allows patients to visualize potential surgical modifications before undergoing procedures and is useful for teaching residents the art and science of facial plastic surgery. Skin resurfacing techniques include the use of a radiofrequency frequency device (Coblation) and laser technology through the dermatology department.

Research
The main focus of research within this division involves tissue engineering and the search for a more optimal construct for facial reconstruction. Working closely with Dr. Vladimir Mironov in the department of cellular and molecular biology, studies of human and artifical constructs are helping define the ideal biomechanical characteristics of implants. In years to come, this study will shift to the process of creating artificial living tissue and applying it to head and neck defects.

Other projects include a study of velopharyngeal insufficiency.