Research

Plastic Surgery Research

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed feugiat dictum laoreet. Donec elit magna, rutrum in rutrum eu, ultricies vel eros. Nullam nec dapibus nulla. Nulla ac lectus interdum, interdum eros eget, lacinia risus. Cras pharetra rutrum enim, vel convallis leo auctor vel. Proin erat est, sagittis eu felis non, pharetra sagittis metus. Sed sit amet tortor sollicitudin, gravida tortor sed, tristique metus. Fusce dignissim fermentum ante ac vulputate. Curabitur nec ultricies tortor. Sed tincidunt ac arcu sed molestie. Aenean quis risus vel neque ullamcorper egestas eu eget mi. Integer rhoncus, lectus sit amet mattis elementum, quam magna congue leo, quis sollicitudin purus neque consectetur ante. Morbi elementum finibus porttitor.

Plastic Surgery Research Specialties

Craniomaxillofacial

Craig B. Birgfeld, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery

Research Summary

My research interests center around outcome studies in the treatment of craniofacial microsomia and craniosynostosis. The use of 3D photos, video and 3D CT scans allows us to better define the severity of the phenotype and assess the success and longevity of our surgical interventions. Outcome measures in craniofacial surgery can be challenging, but need to go above and beyond the typical "blood loss" and "infection rate" assigned to most surgical outcomes. It is therefore incumbent upon us to analyze, measure and publish what we do. Research Investigator Bio

Dr. Russell Ettinger
Russell E. Ettinger, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor of Surgery

Research Summary

My research interests focus on clinical outcomes across both adult and pediatric craniofacial surgery. Facial trauma is major component of our practice and we are currently evaluating the incidence of traumatic brain injuries in patients presenting with craniofacial trauma in order to enhance clinical recognition and the subsequent delivery of interdisciplinary care.

My secondary research interests involve collaborations with colleagues in Burn Surgery and UW Bioengineering to develop non-invasive methods for quantifying soft tissue and skin graft elasticity through optical coherence elastography (OCE) and thereby improving reconstructive outcomes for patients with thermal injuries. Research Investigator Bio

Dr. Richard Hopper

Richard A. Hopper, MD, MS
Division of Plastic Surgery, Professor & Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery

Research Summary

The Craniofacial Image Analysis Laboratory (CranIAL) uses state of the art digital annotation and shape analysis techniques to better categorize craniofacial conditions, and to plan, predict and assess surgical outcomes. Analysis is performed on a variety of image modalities, including CT scans, cephalograms, 3D surface scans, MRIs, and photographs, which is then correlated with data from the medical record and mutation analysis. Research Investigator Bio

Ezgi Mercan, PhD
Director, Craniofacial Image Analysis Laboratory

Research Summary

Medical imaging is a critical part of patient care in craniofacial surgery. This includes CT scans, 3D stereophotogrammetry, MRIs, clinical photographs and cephalograms which are extensively used for diagnosis, surgical planning and follow up. As a computer vision researcher, I am interested in utilizing image analysis and machine learning tools for improving our understanding of craniofacial conditions, planning personalized treatments, and assessing surgical outcomes.

In close collaboration with Dr. Hopper, I supervise research projects conducted at the Craniofacial Image Analysis Laboratory (CranIAL) and support lab members in technical aspects of their research. To facilitate an active and collaborative research environment, we provide a remote platform that consists of a research server, an extensive craniofacial database, open source research tools and project-specific custom software. With an emphasis on data-driven research, we aim to bring together clinical data, images in different modalities and medical expertise at our institution to answer research questions. Research Investigator Bio

Srinivas Susarla, MD, DMD, MPH
Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery (Plastic), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Adjunct)

Research Summary

My research interests are primarily focused on clinical outcomes in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Recent projects have focused on changes in skeletal morphology following maxillofacial distraction and novel techniques for correction of syndromic craniomaxillofacial dysplasia. My work is in collaboration with the Craniofacial Image Analysis Laboratory (CranIAL) within the Division of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital and the Center for Applied Clinical Investigation within the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. My secondary research interests are related to medical/dental education and measures of academic productivity within Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery. Research Investigator Bio

Raymond Tse, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery

Research Summary

Cleft lip and palate affects both appearance and orofacial function. Understanding what we do and the outcomes of treatment are critical to improving the care that we provide. My research has involved two approaches. The first unites contemporary technology/concepts (i.e. 3D imaging, computer vision, and crowdsourcing) with more traditional science to come up with objective ways to measure esthetic, speech, and functional outcomes. The second involves careful assessment and audit of clinical practices to improve the delivery of care. The ultimate goal is to improve cleft care both locally and worldwide. Research Investigator Bio

Breast and Microsurgery

Shannon Colohan, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

Research Summary

I am a surgeon at UW Medicine's Center for Reconstructive Surgery and a UW associate professor of plastic surgery in the division of plastic surgery. I am an expert at reconstructive plastic surgery, with a specific focus on cancer reconstruction.

My research interests include research study design and clinical outcomes in reconstructive plastic surgery, with emphasis on breast reconstruction. Research Investigator Bio

Dr. Sarah Goldsberry Long

Sarah Goldsberry-Long, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

Research Summary

I am a plastic surgeon at UW Medical Center for Reconstructive Surgery at both the Montlake and Northwest campuses. I have specialized in reconstructive microsurgery, oncologic reconstruction, lymphatic surgery and aesthetics. My research interests include patient reported and clinical outcomes in microsurgical breast reconstruction and lymphatic surgery.

Suzanne M. Inchauste, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

Research Summary

I am a plastic surgeon at UW Medicine's Center for Reconstructive Surgery and at Northwest Hospital Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Center. I completed training in general surgery, surgical oncology and plastic surgery. I specialize in reconstructive microsurgery, aesthetic surgery of the breast, face and body, lymphatic surgery and oncologic reconstruction.

My research interests include clinical outcomes in breast microsurgery, oncologic reconstructive surgery, lymphatic surgery and aesthetic surgery. My secondary research interest is in resident and global surgery education. Research Investigator Bio

Otway Louie, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

Research Summary

I am a board certified surgeon at UW Medicine's Reconstructive Surgery Center and a UW associate professor in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the division of plastic surgery.

I have expertise in microsurgical reconstruction and aesthetic surgery of the breast, head and neck reconstruction, cosmetic surgery of the face and body and general reconstructive plastic surgery. His research interests include clinical outcomes in microsurgical breast reconstruction and improving clinical and functional outcomes in oncologic reconstruction. Research Investigator Bio

Hand and Extremity Surgery

Jeffrey B. Friedrich, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Orthopaedics and Urology (Adjunct), Director, Plastic Surgery Residency Program

Research Summary

I conduct database and clinical research in aspects pertinent to hand and wrist surgery and reconstruction. Through this work, I have developed fruitful collaborations with the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC) and the UW's Institute for Translational Health Sciences (ITHS). I have also been working on resident education research as an extension of my position as Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program. Research Investigator Bio

Dennis Kao, MD
Department of Orthopaedics, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Research Summary

My clinical interest in adult peripheral nerve reconstruction has sparked my curiosity in the biology of peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration. My current research interests include the role of cadaveric nerve allograft in nerve reconstruction, minimization of distal peripheral nerve degeneration after nerve injury, as well as surgical treatment of painful neuromas. Research Investigator Bio

Kari Keys, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor

Research Summary

I am interested in lower extremity reconstruction after trauma, as well as delayed reconstruction of complex wounds including failed arthroplasties, spinal wound dehiscence and sternal wounds. I have published on necrotizing fasciitis with interest in morbidity and quality of life; to this end I maintain a large prospective database of all necrotizing fasciitis patients admitted at Harborview. My publications on pressure sore outcomes and reconstructive considerations are derived from a large spinal cord population at the VA where I also maintain a large prospective database of pressure sore patients and collaborates with Rehab physicians on multiple manuscripts. Outside of plastic surgery, I am heavily involved in standardization and pathway care. Research Investigator Bio

Erin Miller, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor

Research Summary

My career goal is to improve the care of patients with extremity injuries. I am interested in optimizing patient experiences within the healthcare system, with an overarching goal of improving outcomes. This has led me to a variety of research pursuits, from using Virtual Reality as an adjunct to wound care/procedures, collaboration with the Emergency Department to improve hand care, to reviewing outcomes in both common and uncommon hand pathologies. Research Investigator Bio

Raymond Tse, MD
Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery

Research Summary

Pediatric brachial plexus palsies are a complex clinical problem. They affect nerve, muscle, and bone and outcomes are influenced considerably by growth and development. By critically studying the ways we assess and treat patients and studying clinical outcomes we will improve the care that we provide. By collaborating with multiple specialties we will come up with better solutions. Research Investigator Bio