Research

Message from the Division of Plastic Surgery Research Directors

Ahmed Afifi, MD – Outcomes Research

Samuel O. Poore, MD, PhD – Basic Science Research

University of Wisconsin’s Plastic Surgery Division has been committed over the last four decades to basic and clinical science research, and our current research portfolio makes us even more excited about the future. Whether you are a medical trainee interested in working and learning in our labs, a scientist wanting to collaborate with our faculty, or a grateful patient wishing to donate to research that will impact thousands of patients in the future, we welcome you to our research program.

A unique aspect of our division is the diversity and range of our research interests. As in most programs, Clinical Research constitutes the bulk of our publications. We have published articles in peer reviewed journals within every subspecialty in plastic surgery, including Breast Reconstruction (the use of drains and the value of implantable dopplers), Microvascular Surgery (including a 26 year follow up of a hand replant and the longest reported follow up of free flaps for facial hemiatrophy), Aesthetic Surgery (a CME rhinoplasty article and a nationwide survey
on functional rhinoplasty) , Reconstructive Surgery (advances in abdominal component separation , reconstruction after gynecologic cancer resections), Hand Surgery (distraction osteogenesis in the hand) , Craniofacial Surgery ( introducing classifications for frontal sinus, pterygoid, and nasolacrmial fracture), and Body Contouring (a randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of lidocaine in breast reduction).

Our Basic Science lab is directed by Sam Poore, MD, PhD, who has more than 9 million dollars of funding through the Defense Advanced Research Project Administration (DARPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and has dedicated lab space in the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research. The Poore lab’s research theme is clinical and experimental microsurgery, with an emphasis on peripheral nerve regeneration and repair. In addition, John Siebert MD, with an endowed Chair for Research, is currently studying the molecular mechanisms of fat grafting and fat flaps in Perry Romberg Syndrome and in breast reconstruction.

Ahmed Afifi, MD, has an externally and internally funded qualitative outcomes research program that is currently studying migraine surgery. UW is one of the few centers in the country offering this cutting edge surgery, and we are also part of a national multicenter study on this topic. Our qualitative program aims to specifically study how this surgery actually impacts the patients and their quality of life.

Venkat Rao, MD, MBA, and other faculty have contributed several articles about the Business aspects of plastic surgery, an always changing yet important topic. These have included the effects of the Affordable Care Act, how to establish a cosmetic surgery center, and reimbursement for skin cancer surgery. With our long standing Global Health initiative that have been in place for nearly 3 decades, we have published and presented several articles about pediatric and cleft surgery, and the value of global health. Del Mount, MD, is the Director of our Global Health Program and she and all the faculty continue to travel and treat patients in Africa, Asia, South America and Central America.

And yes, we are very busy, which is why the article on maintaining a healthy life work balance by our chief, Mike Bentz, MD, is a must read. In addition to his many publications, Dr. Bentz is the editor of the world’s major textbook on pediatric plastic surgery. He is also interested in Education Research, and the UW Department of Surgery has established itself in the forefront of that field. Neil Salypapongse, MD, our residency program director, is involved in Simulation Research. UW’s impressive simulation center is headed by Carla Pugh, MD, a frequent TED speaker and recognized expert in the field. All our faculty, including Catey Garland, MD, Brett Michelotti, MD, Brian Gander, MD, and Katy Gast, MD are involved in research in their respective subspecialties in plastic surgery.

The “Wisconsin Idea” is a philosophy embraced by UW since 1904, and emphasizes that the impact of our research should extend beyond the walls of our institution, to reach all citizens of the state, country and the world. On behalf of all our faculty, residents, medical students, research fellows and staff, we thank you for your interest and invite you to join us in continuing the  Wisconsin Idea” tradition.

The Plastic Surgery Research Program is led by Directors Dr. Ahmed Afifi, Clinical Research, and Dr. Samuel Poore, Basic Science and Translational Research; together they coordinate research activities and meetings for the Division. Please contact them with any questions.

Ahmed Afifi, MD
Director of Clinical Research

Samuel Poore, MD, PhD
Director of Basic Science Research

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