Research Summary1. Tissue Neovascularization and Prefabrication a. Dr. Julian Pribaz's worked on tissue neovascularization and prefabrication first using a rat model and then a rabbit model. These studies have been invaluable in helping to better understand the process. b. Dr. Pribaz studied the clinical application in patients in whom conventional flaps were not available for reconstructing difficult defects especially in the head and neck. This technology is a prelude to revascularizing tissue-engineered constructs. 2. Facial Artery Musculomucosal (FAMM) Flap Dr. Pribaz's anatomical studies have helped to define and develop this very useful flap to treat difficult intraoral problems, especially in patients with cleft palate and also for lip, intraoral and nasal lining reconstruction. 3. Submental Flap Dr. Pribaz has extensive experience with this flap for reconstructing cheek and intraoral defects, including the use of this flap as an innervated flap obtaining functioning muscle for facial reanimation. 4. Breast Surgery a. Breast reconstruction: Dr. Pribaz offers full spectrum of reconstructive options. He and his colleagues conduct Harvard-wide studies. b. Breast reduction: Over the years, he has significantly modified and refined the methods of breast reconstruction and developed the Boston modification of the modified Robertson breast reduction procedure, which eliminates the vertical scar in breast reduction. 5. Nasal Reconstruction Dr. Pribaz has extensive experience with free flap nasal reconstruction. This includes: a. Ascending helical flap of the ear for free flap nasal reconstruction of difficult defects involving the distal heminasal region. b. Prelaminated free flap for dealing with more extensive defects involving the nose and surrounding tissues. The flap is first prepared on the forearm to provide the multiple layers and subsequently transferred to the head and neck. 6. Ear Replantation Without Microsurgery Dr. Pribaz replants amputated ears without the use of microsurgery by burying the reattached, amputated deepithelialized ear in a pocket and subsequently exposing it once it has “take". 7. Extended V-Y Flap Dr. Pribaz performs extended V-Y flap, which is a very useful flap used in the head and neck for closing small, but difficult reconstructive problems. 8. Intraoperative Modeling Dr. Pribaz used alginate to better define and reconstruct complex 3-dimensional defects in the head and neck. 9. Anterolateral Thigh Flap Dr. Pribaz researched and popularized this very useful and versatile flaps. It has become one of the most common flaps used in head and neck and extremity reconstruction. 10. Microsurgery and Lymphedema His past research included: a. Microvenous grafting, allografting, and avulsion injury to blood vessels. He used vein graft length to bridge an arterial defect. b. Lymphedema of the extremities to obtain a better understanding of how best to manage patients with obstructive lymphedema. Dr. Pribaz developed a canine model to study this and utilized the methods of microlymphaticovenous anastomoses, omental transfers and free nodal transfers to solve this problem. 11. Vascularized Tendon Using a monkey model, Dr. Pribaz improved the results of flexor tendon reconstruction in a severely traumatized bed. 12. Extremity Reconstruction with “Spare Parts” By considering all amputated or damaged parts as spare parts, nothing is wasted an innovative functional reconstruction can be achieved. Dr. Pribaz continues to work on challenging reconstructive problems in all areas of the body, which act as stimuli for him to further study, improve, and maximize the reconstruction in these difficult cases. Back to the top |