Research

Plastic Surgery Research

The Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is conducting research on a number of fronts. Paralleling its strong clinical focus on children born with congenital deformities, the division concentrates much of its clinical research activities on cleft and craniofacial surgery. In addition, western Pennsylvania provides a large experience in pediatric facial fractures and craniofacial trauma. This experience has resulted in scientific inquiry regarding the treatment and long-term follow-up of these pediatric patients, particularly the growth and development of the injured craniofacial skeleton.

The division is also involved in translational research on the molecular interactions that lead to craniosynostosis. The healing of large bone defects represents a complicated clinical problem in the pediatric population. Therefore, focused research into the application of growth factor-based treatments for bone regeneration is underway. As well, novel means to control cell differentiation are currently being investigated in hopes of improving tissue engineering techniques for craniofacial regenerative medicine.

Significant improvement in the care of children with congenital craniofacial abnormalities can only come from strong, collaborative, translational research—the kind that is found at Children’s today.