Reconstructive Surgery

First African American full face transplant recipient advocates for organ donors and medical racial parity

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Thursday, November 21, 2024

Driving home from church, Robert Chelsea pulled his disabled car over to the shoulder. As he waited for help, a drunk driver slammed into his car, causing it to explode and burn more than 60 percent of Robert's body, including his face, leading him on a journey to become the first African American to receive a full face transplant.

Teen talks about facial difference so others can find hope for healing

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Thursday, November 14, 2024

As a toddler, Danielle Maytrychit developed significant facial asymmetry and breathing issues because of a large tumor at the base of her skull. She had several reconstructive surgeries throughout her childhood and teen years, during which her positive attitude never wavered despite the difficulties.

Pediatric plastic surgery: Interventions for Moebius syndrome

Ariel Frankeny | Freelance Writer Thursday, October 24, 2024

Moebius syndrome, while rare, is one of the most common varieties of facial paralysis in children. This congenital condition causes full or partial paralysis of the face and can be damaging to the social development of children as they grow.

Grandfather's breast cancer diagnosis leads a mother and daughter down a preventive mastectomy journey

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Thursday, October 17, 2024

Cailynn Madigan was prompted to get genetic testing for breast cancer because of her grandfather's battle with the disease. As a result, she and her mother sought strength and support from each other as they shared the journey through double mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Facial paralysis: A focus on synkinesis and treatment options

Ariel Frankeny | Freelance Writer Monday, October 7, 2024

It may not be a term you're familiar with, but "synkinesis" is a common type of facial paralysis. This issue is characterized by an imbalance in facial function following a facial nerve event or injury that results in a nerve no longer working properly or that regenerates in an improper manner.

Summer in the sun, fall in the plastic surgeon's chair: What can you do about skin cancer scars?

Alia Willson | Freelance Writer Friday, September 20, 2024

Summer is quickly coming to a close and the cold weather is right around the corner. Not to kill the buzz even further, but multiple summers spent baking in the sun could mean that it is time to get your skin checked for signs of cancer.

Plastic surgery's next generation: The treatment of facial paralysis from Bell's palsy

Ariel Frankeny | Freelance Writer Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Plastic surgery is known for cosmetic procedures, but plastic surgeons are also playing a role in the treatment of facial paralysis. Research is currently limited in this area, but some treatments have been showing promise. There is a quickly growing subset of procedures, from simple outpatient treatments to surgical intervention, in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Surgical intervention to treat facial paralysis

Ariel Frankeny | Freelance Writer Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Plastic surgeons aren't often associated with the treatment of facial paralysis, but those trained in this subspecialty of plastic surgery are uniquely capable of helping patients regain the function of their face, whether partially or completely.

Pediatric plastic surgery: A focus on cleft lip and palate repair

Ariel Frankeny | Freelance Writer Wednesday, July 10, 2024

When performing a cleft lip and/or cleft palate repair, the goal is to create an end result with normal closure and no future issues plaguing the patient.

Best practices to heal dog bites

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Monday, May 13, 2024

Dogs are known as our furry best friends. Yet, all dogs come with the risk of biting. The 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release showed almost 19,000 people had reconstruction procedures for dog bites last year.

Scalding survivor shows others her resilient spirit

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Wednesday, May 1, 2024

When she was a toddler, Emma survived a severe scalding injury. Doctors didn't know if she would be able to walk, but with the help of her plastic surgeon, her burns didn't define her. See how she went on to compete in multiple sports and reach her ambitious career goals.

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month: Down a leg, up a life

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Thursday, April 25, 2024

Sam Schaefer said nothing has stopped him in the three and half years since his leg amputation. He decided to go forward with the amputation almost a decade after he injured his foot in the Air Force during a training exercise.

Cancer survivor becomes an innovator to help others heal

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Thursday, February 29, 2024

Four-time cancer survivor Cinde Dolphin's struggle to heal sparked an idea. Learn how she designed an innovative solution to help patients heal and discover the impact it had on women in Africa. Dolphin shows us how cancer can test your mettle but also create new opportunities.

Actress uses humor to conquer cancer's horror... twice

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Friday, January 26, 2024

Consummate performer Aniela McGuinness kept her spirits high through breast cancer and reconstructive surgery. Her second cancer diagnosis proved even more challenging. Guided by the compassionate care of ASPS Member Surgeon Shashi Kusuma, MD, she kept her infectious sense of humor.

Plastic surgery helps traffic accident victim regain self-confidence

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Monday, December 11, 2023

Skateboarding enthusiast Brittany Castaneda had to both physically and mentally heal after a drunk driver ran her over while crossing the street. Plastic surgeon Ariel Ourian, MD, transformed both her injuries and self-confidence with reconstructive surgery.

From breast cancer survivor to fashion designer

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, November 30, 2023

Dana Donofree was diagnosed with breast cancer a day before her 28th birthday, turning her world upside down. The diagnosis led to bilateral mastectomies, breast reconstruction and chemotherapy, which left her grappling with a new reality and a body that seemed unfamiliar to her shortly before her wedding.

A soldier wins the hardest battle with an invisible enemy

Niccole Caan | ASPS Staff Friday, November 17, 2023

Chronic pain was the biggest battle for soldier Sam Schaefer after he sustained an injury to his left foot during a training exercise. Schaefer was shuffled between doctors and specialists for a decade with no relief and few answers until he met John Felder, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

How one woman went from cancer survivor to entrepreneur

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, November 16, 2023

For most, a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event that happens once. For Cinde Dolphin, it became an all too familiar adversary, striking not once but multiple times. It wasn't just her resilience in the face of repeated cancer battles that was remarkable. Dolphin also designed an innovative solution for patients because of her challenges with postsurgical drains.

The remarkable journey to build a nose

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, November 9, 2023

Harrison "Gray" Canales had a typical childhood but an atypical life. His early years were interspersed with numerous surgeries because he was born with a severe bilateral congenital deformity. The face staring back at you today is a testament to his journey, resilience, personal growth and the remarkable medical achievements that shaped his life.

From flames to flourishing: A burn victim becomes a doctor

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, November 2, 2023

It was a journey to becoming a doctor with a lot of stops and detours for Laurence Busse, MD, MBA. This trip began like a lot of other travels for the 19-year-old Tulane University political economy major, with a car ride on a night out with friends in New Orleans in 1990.

Plastic surgery for a brain tumor

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Erin Crea decided to venture out of her house alone and go to the mall. But something went wrong before her plan came to fruition. The last thing she remembered was leaving her driveway – and instead of shopping at the mall, she woke up in an emergency room.

Woman survives disfiguring accident, now inspires others

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Onyinye Udebuani survived a car accident in 2018 that severely disfigured her face, changing not only her looks but the course of her life. She was a passenger in the collision that killed three others.

Plastic surgery transforms a young burn victim

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, November 18, 2022

Shamira Reeves was a toddler in Africa when her tiny torso and arms were burned by boiling water that her stepmother poured on her, webbing her arms to her body and crippling her.

Plastic surgeons reconstruct NFL star Alex Smith's leg and dreams

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, November 4, 2022

NFL star Alex Smith's life changed in a matter of seconds in 2018. One moment the quarterback was running toward the 40-yard line, and the next he was steamrolled to the ground by the opposing team's J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson. The tackle shattered the bones in Smith's lower leg – and potentially his dream of ever playing football again.

Plastic surgeons want to use nerve regeneration to make prosthetic limbs move

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Plastic surgeon Paul Cederna, MD, has always been interested in solving some of the most challenging issues in reconstructive surgery. He co-leads the Neuromuscular Lab at the University of Michigan, which focuses on developing futuristic technology that uses an amputee's nerves to control a prosthetic limb.

Plastic surgery helps quadriplegic man continue his life's mission

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, September 9, 2022

It's hard to imagine what it would be like to go from being a 19-year-old college football player who could do practically anything he wanted physically, to being unable to move. This became Marc Buoniconti's harsh reality after he collided with another player, dislocated his neck and sustained a spinal cord injury.

Patient's courage propels him to Olympic victory

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, August 18, 2022

When Blake Haxton reached his senior year of high school, the rowing season had just started when he noticed soreness in his lower right leg. The next morning was an ordinary Monday, but the pain in his leg was anything but.

Burn patient finds hope after accident thanks to plastic surgery

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Monday, August 8, 2022

Fractional CO2 laser therapy is a promising treatment for patients with burn scars. This noninvasive procedure uses laser energy to break down scar tissue, revealing softer and smoother skin beneath.

Craniofacial patients lead full lives thanks to surgical advancements

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Today's young patients have benefited from innovations in craniofacial surgery that began in the late 1960s. Advances in three-dimensional imaging, for example, have helped plastic surgeons like Jesse Goldstein, MD, see how to improve the shape and function of a pediatric patient's head and face.

Technological advances in plastic surgery lead to complete arm transplants for two wounded warriors

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Plastic surgery has advanced considerably since its origins as a treatment for injured soldiers. From rudimentary surgeries during World War I, it has now grown to full limb transplants for troops who have lost their arms, restoring function and giving them a chance at living a more normal life.