Clinical Research
As the birthplace of perforator flap reconstruction, LSU has a rich history of pioneering advances in plastic and reconstructive surgery. That legacy continues today.
OVERVIEW
Dr. Robert Allen, Sr. first began developing the perforator flap concept while at LSU. Despite initial hesitation from the mainstream plastic surgery community, the concept eventually revolutionized the field and become the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction, with applications for reconstruction everywhere throughout the body. In 2005, Drs. Allen, Dupin, Boraski, and others were awarded the James Barrett Brown Award for the best Plastic Surgery paper in the English literature for their report on the first large series of perforator flaps.
Dr. Allen celebrates his 5000th DIEP flap
Since then, LSU residents and faculty have continued to publish innovative research on all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. In 2020, LSU began hosting a research fellowship. Initially focused primarily on microsurgery, the fellowship has now expanded to encompass all areas of plastic surgery.
Research studies are supported by the research fellow, who facilitates a research meeting once monthly open to all residents, faculty, and medical students. Projects are aided by use of multiple retrospective databases that have been maintained by the program over several years.
Hand clinic patients are now routinely provided with patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) surveys both pre- and post-surgical intervention, allowing for standardized and validated outcome data for retrospective data analysis. There is effort to expand these surveys to other clinics, particularly for breast reconstruction and body countouring as well.
Statistician support is cost free and easily available by way of two full-time doctorate-level stasticians employed by the LSU School of Medicine.
Previous research fellows have achieved >20 publications in a single calendar year; additional publications are often later generated even after conclusion of the fellowship.
Interested candidates for the next academic year should reach out to Dr. Chim (hchim@lsuhsc.edu).
plastic and reconstructive surgery research fellow 2025-2026
Ramin Shekouhi, MD