Plastic Surgery
Updates and news from UNMC Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Message from the Chief
Welcome to our inaugural monthly e-newsletter. This newsletter will keep you up to date with what is happening in plastic surgery. Each month we will provide information about new developments in plastic surgery, introduce you to team members and keep you apprised of upcoming events including our Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery and Dreams Medspa location.

This month I would like to congratulate Courtney Frost on her new role and promotion as administrator of plastic surgery and surgical oncology as well as her role in the development of the Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinical Program. 

We are also excited to announce the return of Dr. Derek Fletcher who along with Dr. Shannon Wong were instrumental in the development of the microvascular breast reconstruction program at Nebraska Medicine. 

Dr. Sean Figy will be joining the division in September following completion of a microvascular fellowship at Ohio State. Dr. Figy’s interests include microvascular surgery, lymph node transfers, transgender surgery and public health. Congratulations to Dr. Barrientos who was accepted to the prestigious Dallas Craniofacial Center Fellowship. 

I hope you enjoy our newsletter and I welcome any comments, suggestions or feedback. 
MiraDry-Don't sweat It!
Dreams MedSpa offers a “no sweat, no stress” option for patients dealing with hyperhidrosis or for those simple seeking a toxin-free lifestyle. MiraDry is the only FDA-cleared treatment that can permanently or dramatically reduce underarm sweat in as little as one appointment. The company is also currently pursuing FDA approval to hands and feet and is anticipating approval by the end of this year.

The MiraDry system uses thermal energy to target and eliminate sweat and odor glands after a patient has been numbed. A hand piece is activated to suction glands to the surface and cools to protect the skin and maximize comfort during treatment.

With a 90 percent “worth it” rating on RealSelf.com and a profit margin of $1700, Dreams MedSpa focused its marketing on this procedure during the month of January. Dreams MedSpa ranks #21 in the west out of 211 sites and #35 in North America of 523 sites. Total cost of this one time procedure is $2000. 

AirXpanders
AirXpanders® a new technology being used in the Plastic Surgery Department at Nebraska Medicine. Many patients undergoing breast reconstruction will have tissue expanders placed at the time of their mastectomy or as a secondary procedure. 

Traditional tissue expanders require regular trips to our office for expansion. The expansion process involves needle sticks, discomfort and a significant time investment for the patient. The use of the Aeroform® Tissue Expander system allows the patient to control expansion at home with a remote that controls a slow release of compressed CO2. The patient is able to self-administer up to three times daily. 

The use of this system has aided our patients to have fewer office visits, less needle sticks, less pain and most importantly has sped up their expansion timeline.  The average time for expansion with AirXpanders® is cut in half from traditional saline tissue expanders. (1) We have found these to be beneficial for patients that travel long distances to see us and have good reviews from patients on their ease of use. 
Dr. Debra Reilly heads Medical Mission
The outpatient Burn Team at UNMC had the privilege of organizing a Burn Medical Mission Camp to Jalandhar India the end of November 2018. This city is located in the northwest state of Punjab near the Pakistan border. Our team members included Judy Placek & Bryan Bader APRNs, Katie Circo BSN and Karen Winn APRN (vendor rep long time friend). 

We were hosted by Dr. Chanjiv Singh, a plastic surgeon with whom I have worked on previous missions to India in association with their Rotary Club. I represented Reconstructing Women International, a charitable group focusing on the reconstruction of women and children injured from burn, trauma or spouse abuse. Our Camp was in their Civil Hospital where we operated on 20 patients with acute burns and burn scars. We were able to work with 2 local plastic surgeons for teaching and 2 schools of nursing students who assisted with the postop ward care. 

While the care we provided was FREE to the patients and their families, it was thru generous donations of supplies from Nebraska Medicine and vendors that we were able to bring 200 pounds of surgical material for the surgeries.
 
Our second week was spent in New Delhi at the International Society of Burn Injuries where we presented multiple burn talks and participated in panel discussions. Our passion for burn care was equaled in the care and compassion we found in the people and patients of India with whom with collaborated. All work and no play…we ended our trip visiting a Mother Teresa Orphanage in Agra where the amazing Taj Mahal stands as a memorial to Love in the World. Next stop – Kenya in June 2019. 

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NAMASTE 
UNMC Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
983335 Nebraska Medical Center
ESH 6011
Omaha, NE 68198
Ph: 402-559-8363