Plastic Surgery
Peirong Yu, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Chair
- Departments, Labs and Institutes
- Departments and Divisions
- Plastic Surgery
MD Anderson’s Department of Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive services to cancer patients, as well as cutting-edge research to create the next generation of reconstructive surgery innovations.
Plastic surgery began at MD Anderson in 1988, when the first microsurgery team was established. The group gained departmental status six years later, and has continued to expand its disciplines. In 1996, our research interests turned to tissue engineering, with the creation of the Laboratory of Reparative Biology & Bioengineering.
Plastic Surgery has 21 full-time clinical faculty members, who handle at least 1,000 plastic and reconstructive surgery cases a year. Faculty members provide consultation and evaluation on an out-patient basis to assess post-treatment needs for cancer patients.
Researchers continue to enhance quality of life issues for cancer survivors by integrating knowledge from several scientific fields, including bioengineering, life sciences and clinical science. This work has shed new light on how biological mechanisms work at both the cellular and molecular level, which has led to the creation of innovative and cost-effective therapeutics, medical devices and clinical protocols for cancer-related deformities.
Training Programs
Graduate Research Program
Through this program, graduate students from Rice University, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences may actively participate in ongoing multidisciplinary research opportunities and receive assistance to develop and enhance their choice of studies. Ph.D. and M.S. level students are exposed to a wide array of in vitro, in vivo, ex-vivo techniques and learn how to effectively participate in and lead disparate teams of investigators. Students are assigned both Ph.D. and M.D. mentors to ensure multidisciplinary training.
Summer Internship Program
High school, undergraduate, and medical students are offered Internships sponsored by Summer Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This provides students a clear knowledge of exactly what is involved with being a biomedical researcher. Clinic and operating room observation is provided to place the students' project in perspective. Laboratory work is supplemented by didactic classes covering diverse research topics, including biosafety and scientific ethics. Upon completion of the internship, students prepare an oral and written report.