Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: James Thornton, M.D.
Department: Plastic Surgery
Room number: W4.220
Mail Code: 9132
Phone number: 214-645-3113
E-mail: james.thornton@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Nasal reconstruction - outcomes analysis

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): pending

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type: patient-based research,

Brief Description of Project:

The project will be two fold on assessing the clinical outcomes of nasal reconstruction techniques. The first study will use a new biomechanical assessment of human skin can now be performed using the BTC2000 cutometer. Using the laser-driven hand held device which draws the human skin gently under a vacuum. Six (6) major biomechanical parameters can be measured non-invasively and quickly. Prior and post surgical measurements will be collected in subjects who will undergo nasal reconstruction.

The biomechanical determinations will be compared to the clinical outcome markers ( scars, cosmesis) post-surgically. The use of a cutometer make provide insights into whether the skin following surgery is under too much tension or not enough tension that may influence subsequent wound healing. To date, no such measurement has been performed.

The student will learn about surgical anatomy of the nose and the biomechanical assessment of this area of the face. The student will take the readings and analyze the data. The BTC2000 is very small and mobile and will be accessible for all studies in this protocol and others.

The second study will be to undertake a retrospective chart review of nasal reconstructive cases to determine if the use of one technique versus another resulted in increased scarring or decreased cosmesis.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

4 summer students
4 publications

1. Analysis/treatment of temporal hollowing - paper under review
2. Sural nerve biopsy techniques - paper published
3. Nasolabial flap reconstruction of the nasal tip - paper accepted for publication
4. Use of skin grafting techniques in nasal reconstruction - paper under review