Plastic Surgery Research Overview

BASIC SCIENCE AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH:

Plastic Surgery is a broad specialty that encompasses microsurgery, hand surgery, aesthetic and craniofacial surgery. With clinical expertise in each of these fields, The Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory at the University of Virginia focuses on the development and utilization of pre-clinical models to support the investigation of therapeutic interventions and their clinical outcomes. Our culture values and rewards collaboration, resourcefulness, and the translation of basic science advances to achieve clinical impact and patient-centered outcomes. As such, we have designed robust collaborations with the Clinical Departments of Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology as well as the Basic Science Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Chemistry, and Materials Science among others. Our laboratory promotes multi-disciplinary solutions to research biomaterial development and host integration, wound healing and monitoring, development of sophisticated modeling for improved surgical planning, and less-invasive approaches to effective treatments.

CLINICAL RESEARCH:

The complex nature of cases seen by Plastic Surgeons leads to the development of innovative procedures, devices, and materials to effectively treat patients. As part of our continual effort to improve patient outcomes, clinical data is generated and analyzed in order to validate best practices for the application of these procedures, devices, and materials. The results are generated through a combination of prospective and retrospective studies.

THE NETTIE MARIE JONES MICROSURGERY LABORATORY:

The Nettie Marie Jones Microsurgical Center was founded in 1976 by a grant from the benefactor. This lab is one of the oldest continuously running microsurgery labs in the country. Home of 4 microsurgical scopes, the Center provides dedicated instruction in microsurgery for residents, fellows, and faculty, including a one-week course of intense instruction in the techniques of dissection and repair of arteries, veins and nerves.