Reconstructive Surgery

Advanced Surgical Techniques for Reconstructive Procedures

Loyola Medicine provides comprehensive care in reconstructive surgery to treat wounds, burns, trauma, deformity and disfigurement for adult and pediatric patients.

Our surgical reconstruction specialists have vast experience in improving appearance and returning functionality for patients with the following serious injuries and conditions:

• Bone and soft tissue cancer disfigurement
• Breast cancer disfigurement
• Burn scars and contracture from thermal, chemical and electrical injuries
• Deformities (face, chest, abdomen, arms, legs, hands, feet)
• Injuries from trauma
• Scar revision (skin grafts, scar removal and tissue expansion)
• Wounds (diabetic ulcers, advanced pressure sores)

Why Choose Loyola for Reconstructive Surgery?

Loyola provides truly integrated clinical care in reconstructive surgery, bringing together specialists in surgical oncology, breast surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology and other specialties to provide adults and children with advanced care in a compassionate environment.

Our specialists have vast experience treating burn and trauma injuries at our Level I Trauma Center and Burn Center, one of the largest and busiest burn centers in the Midwest.  

As part of an academic medical center, Loyola’s expert clinicians perform and teach the latest surgical techniques in numerous locations across the Chicago area. In addition, our nurses have earned Magnet status, which means they have been recognized for delivering the highest level of care.

Reconstructive Surgeries Available at Loyola

Loyola’s experienced reconstructive surgeons are fellowship-trained and work as part of a clinically integrated care team. By partnering with facial and reconstructive surgeons, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, head and neck surgeons and other specialists, we provide the following state-of-the-art surgical techniques:

• Bone reconstruction — Our specialists will restore bone lost to cancer and other conditions. Your team may include maxillofacial, ENT (ear, nose and throat), orthopaedic or cancer specialists. Treatment may involve modular and joint replacement, medical bone cement, bone transplant tissue, dental fixtures or medical plates, rods and screws. In some cases, bone can be regrown to its original length. 
   
• Breast reconstruction — Whether you are a cancer survivor or have opted for preventive surgery due to a strong family history of breast cancer, our experts will restore your shape and confidence with breast-conserving surgery. 
   
• Burn scar revision procedures — Loyola has one of the busiest burn centers in the Midwest, and our specialists have vast experience providing reconstructive surgery for severe burns and trauma. 
   
• Hand surgery — Loyola’s board-certified surgeons use state-of-the-art surgical techniques to repair a range of problems of the hand, wrist and forearm. In collaboration with Loyola’s orthopaedic surgeons, we are committed to eliminating all symptoms that lead to your discomfort, pain and restricted movement—including advanced treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture, extra digits (polydactyly), hand and forearm wounds, finger deformities, trigger finger, vascular injuries of the hand and webbed fingers. 
   
• Pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery — Some pediatric conditions are not just a matter of appearance; they can also affect a child’s health. For instance, cleft lip and cleft palate can interfere with a baby’s ability to eat. Our surgeons will explain your child’s condition and treatment options and answer any questions you may have. Our pediatric surgeons are experienced in surgical treatments for conditions including benign skin tumors, birthmarks, craniofacial microsomia, craniosynostosis, deformities of the ear, nose and trunk, dermoid cysts, Goldenhar syndrome, Nager syndrome, Pierre Robin sequence and Treacher Collins syndrome. 
   
• Soft tissue cancer surgery — Your doctor may recommend tissue transfer surgery to restore function and improve appearance after soft tissue cancer treatment. 
   
• Trauma surgery — Loyola offers many advanced surgical treatment options to restore function and appearance after an accident. The specialists in our Level I Trauma Center have vast experience treating burn and trauma injuries. 
   
• Wound and burn treatment — Loyola’s specialists are adept at performing skin grafts following wound and burn injuries. Loyola’s Burn Center, renowned throughout the Midwest, is one of the busiest and largest in Illinois and provides advanced treatments for scars and wounds.

Specialized Programs and Services for Reconstructive Surgery

Loyola’s reconstructive surgery program offers advanced surgical treatment in outstanding, conveniently located facilities. We have multidisciplinary facilities at the Loyola University Medical Center campus, in addition to outpatient services at other locations.

We offer the following specialized services to provide you with the most comprehensive care:

• Burn Center — After initial treatment of a burn injury, our specialists offer scar massage, fitting and application of pressure garments, and topical therapies, as well as support services including our Links of Hope support group. 
   
• Breast cancer care — Our nationally recognized experts offer extensive follow-up care and support services, such as the Coleman Foundation Image Renewal Center and our Breast Cancer Networking Group. 
   
• Hand rehabilitation — Our program, staffed with licensed, certified occupational therapists who specialize in hand therapy, will help you regain function as you recover from reconstructive surgery. 
   
• Occupational and physical therapy — Following reconstructive surgery, some patients will need occupational or physical therapy. Our licensed, certified therapists are highly experienced in helping pediatric and adult patients regain function and skills for daily living. 
   
• Speech and language therapy services — Our licensed, certified therapists will work with your child to improve speech after recovering from cleft lip and cleft palate surgery. 
   
• Wound Care Center at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital — If you have early-stage diabetic or pressure wounds, your doctor may recommend special therapies offered here, such as hyperbaric or compression therapies.

Exceptional Research to Advance Reconstructive Surgery

Loyola’s expert reconstructive surgery program is actively pursuing new research with a focus on patient-centered outcomes. As an academic medical center, Loyola is dedicated to improving future treatments by conducting research on new diagnostics and treatments.

Loyola’s patients benefit from research discoveries made here. Read about Loyola’s current clinical trials.