Department of Plastic Surgery

February 7, 2024

Teamwork key to treating boy’s severe head injuries following golf cart accident

Collaboration between teams at Vanderbilt was critical in saving a 2-year-old boy who suffered severe and complex injuries to his head after it was accidantly struck by a golf cart.

By Nancy Humphrey
Justin Stehr, OTR, CHT, an occupational therapist with the Department of Plastic Surgery’s Division of Hand and Upper Extremity, works with Dawn Reed on neuromuscular re-education of her wrist extensors and grip strength. (photo Susan Urmy)
September 15, 2023

A year of teamwork restores patient’s arm after devastating accident

Hundreds of Vanderbilt Emergency Medicine, Trauma, Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Occupational Therapy clinicians have played a role in saving and restoring the function of patient Dawn Reed’s right arm and hand after a utility terrain vehicle accident.

By Jill Clendening
Fireworks (iStockphoto)
June 28, 2022

Family’s experience provides an example of the harm fireworks can cause

Vanderbilt doctors say fireworks injuries can require prolonged hospital stays and multiple surgeries and can result in amputation, stiffness and long-term impairment.

By Jessica Pasley
April 21, 2022

Youthful healing for burn wounds

Topical treatment of burns with an immunosuppressive drug counteracted the negative effects of aging on wound healing, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

By Sarah E. Glass
February 9, 2021

Imaging guidance for nerve repair

A noninvasive, quantitative MRI method could be used after surgical repair of traumatic peripheral nerve injury to help clinicians make decisions about whether additional surgical interventions are needed.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 17, 2020

Nerve repair treatment leads to new career goals for patient

When Blair Wheeler banged her elbow on the court floor as she dived for a ball during a high school volleyball game, she had no idea that split second would completely change her life.

By Jill Clendening
July 23, 2020

Program helps children with hand, upper extremity issues

Brinkley Sandvall, MD, bonds quickly with her young patients — children who have acquired or congenital hand and upper extremity differences.
By Nancy Humphrey
March 19, 2020

Minimally invasive carpal tunnel surgery offers quicker healing

Tommy Rainey suspects problems with his hands began as a result of countless hours at the keyboard during his long career as a publisher and writer, and when tingling and numbness in his left hand continued to worsen, he knew he had to get help.
By Jill Clendening
February 24, 2020

Reducing postoperative opioids

An opioid-restrictive prescribing protocol reduced the number of postoperative opioid prescriptions and the oral morphine equivalent per prescription.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 28, 2020

Imaging nerve regeneration

Diffusion MRI may provide a noninvasive approach to assess nerve regeneration and distinguish successful from unsuccessful repairs earlier.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 7, 2019

Nerve-releasing surgery eases migraines for some

Peripheral nerve surgery is relieving chronic migraine headaches for some patients.
By Jill Clendening
January 17, 2019

Golinko to direct Children’s Hospital cleft, craniofacial care

Michael Golinko, MD, has joined Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as assistant professor of Plastic Surgery, medical director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center and chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery.
By Christina Echegaray
October 25, 2018

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Clinic opens in Brentwood

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Plastic Surgery has a well-earned reputation of being among the nation’s best for reconstructive plastic surgery. With the opening of the new Vanderbilt Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Clinic in Brentwood, the group will have a more visible presence when it comes to cosmetic procedures as well.
By Jill Clendening