Plastic Surgery evolved from innovative techniques developed during the World Wars. Pioneering surgeons used skin grafts and tissue rearrangement to reconstruct injuries of the face and body. Although many of these techniques have been molded into modern Aesthetic Surgery, they continue to be the core of Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Griffin's reconstructive surgery interests include Breast Reconstruction,
Microsurgery, Facial, Nasal, and Ear Reconstruction. Dr. Griffin provides
pediatric plastic surgery and Hand Surgery at Oakland Children's Hospital,
with pediatric plastic surgery also offered at Mills-Peninsula Hospitals
and California Pacific Medical Center.
Microsurgery
Dr. Griffin is fellowship trained in microsurgery. Microsurgery is
specialized training and a set of techniques that are used in many areas
of Plastic Surgery. Using microsurgery, small vessels and nerves from
different parts of the body are sewn together under the operating microscope.
This allows tissue to be moved from one area of the body to another, and
keep that tissue alive. Microsurgery allows flaps like the DIEP to be
possible.
Facial Reanimation for the Paralyzed Smile
Adults and Children can have various reasons to be born with, or develop paralisis of the smile.
In many cases, the facial paralysis can be made better with
surgical or non-surgical intervention. Some patients with partial facial
paralysis benefit from Botox treatments to improve symmetry of the face
at rest, and when smiling. Individualized brow and facial lifting procedures
can also improve facial symmetry.
Patients with complete paralysis of the smile may be candidates for
Facial Reanimation. This procedure utilizes Microsurgery in order to re-create
an active smile that the patient can control. A portion of the patient's
gracilis muscle is transferred to the face, under the skin of the cheek.
When nerves regrow into the muscle, the patient gradually develops improving
control over the smile.
Facial Reconstruction
Patients who have suffered trauma or from skin cancer may be candidates
for, or require facial reconstruction. This type of surgery involves the
use of local tissue flaps, distant flaps, skin grafts, and sometimes microsurgery.
The goal is to close wounds and improve disfigurement in the most aesthetic
way possible.
Ear Reconstruction
Ear deformities can be caused by trauma, cancer, and due to congenital
problems. Ear reconstruction can involve steps that are similar to Otoplasty,
such as cartilage re-arrangement and skin alterations. In some cases,
the patient has very little, or no ear cartilage. In these cases, a new
ear may be fashioned using the patient's own soft tissues and rib cartilage.
Nasal Reconstruction
Please see discussion on Nasal Reconstruction on the Nasal
Surgery Page.
