Expertise in microsurgery and craniofacial surgery

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in facial reconstructive surgery have experience and expertise performing many complex surgeries, including microsurgery and craniofacial surgery. Surgeons perform microsurgery in face transplant, hand transplant and other procedures.

Microsurgery involves extensive training, as it involves understanding the vascular anatomy of structures around the face, and being able to attach small blood vessels, nerves, and other critical structures. To perform microsurgery, surgeons use microscopes to magnify the surgical area and use small surgical tools. Imaging specialists (radiologists) work closely with surgeons before surgery and prepare images of the surgical area.

Craniofacial surgery involves working on the facial skeleton to reconstruct major defects that result from trauma, cancer resection, and congenital deformities. Experience working on rebuilding a damaged face and facial skeleton, along with the extensive experience in microsurgery, allows Mayo Clinic surgeons to perform composite tissue graft transfers.