Head of Department Kim Alexander Tønseth

Introduction

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is performed to restore normal anatomy and function in patients with congenital and acquired disorders, and in patients with tissue defects after trauma or cancer surgery. During the last decades research in plastic and reconstructive surgery has led to development of a large number of treatment options for patients with different kinds of disorders and defects. These methods are often based on experimental research which has been refined through clinical procedures. The main outcome is improved quality of life and patient satisfaction based on restoration of anomalies and dysfunction.

Research areas

Free tissue transfer is a relatively new technique that has revolutionized the field of reconstructive surgery over the past three decades. During the 1970s, reconstructive surgeons started to use the microscope to perform anastomosis of small vessels (±1mm). Tissue, based on these small vessels, could be transposed from a distant part of the body (donor site) to the location where reconstruction was needed and the vessels anastomosed to a recipient artery and vein. In 1989 a new area of free flap surgery was initiated with the introduction of flaps based on perforator vessels. This technique improved reconstruction by reducing donor site morbidity and by allowing new alternative flap designs. There is still a constant need for optimising the reconstruction techniques to give the best possible result with minimal disadvantages at the donor site. Another new area in almost all surgical fields is the introduction of regenerative medicine. With this method, new cells and tissue structures can be cultured to reconstruct various types of defects. Our research group has focused on teh following areas:

1. Microcirculation, wound healing and microsurgery
2. Treatment of facial palsy
3. Regenerative medicine

Read the annual report 2012 for more information on the activities of the research group