Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Summary

Otolaryngologists in the Division of Facial Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery at IU School of Medicine specialize in treating conditions affecting the form and function of the face and neck. This includes a comprehensive approach to all cosmetic/aesthetic and reconstructive treatments of the face and neck. The division, led by Professor Taha Shipchandler, MD, FACS, has greatly expanded over the past decade.

Midwest Referral Center

The division serves as a Midwest referral center for complex cases of facial paralysis and facial reanimation (treatment of facial paralysis). Faculty physicians employ advanced modeling equipment to best simulate reconstructive functional and cosmetic appearance outcomes during patient consultation and are experienced in complex and evidence-based surgical and non-surgical techniques.

Some of the latest techniques—multivector gracilis free tissue transfer, temporalis tendon transfer, 12-7 and 5-7 neurorrhaphy and masseter-to-facial signal upgrade procedures—allow patients to smile, articulate speech, avoid drooling and more easily close their eyes. The division has been instrumental in nationally adopted techniques for periocular treatments in patients with facial weakness as well.

In addition, the division serves as the statewide and multistate referral center for complex facial reconstruction, nasal functional and cosmetic surgery (rhinoplasty), facial trauma and more recently gender affirmation surgery of the face.

To improve care for all patients, the division has multiple prospective and retrospective research studies currently in place with publications of multiple high impact book chapters and review articles on topics of eyelid surgery, functional nasal surgery and complex nasal reconstruction after Mohs or cancer resection.

Facial Plastic Surgery Education

The division is celebrating its fifth fellow beginning July 2023. Since the inception of the Facial Plastic Fellowship, the division has matched their first choice nationwide each year with fellows accepting job opportunities at prestigious nationally recognized medical centers including Stanford, University of Chicago, The Ohio State University and University of Florida.

The division continues to support residents seeking fellowships and careers and recently helped secure a first choice match for a chief resident to a prestigious fellowship.