Brian I.  Labow , MD

I joined the department of Plastic surgery at Childrens Hospital Boston (CHB) in 2004. I dedicate 60% of my time to clinical work with children who have complex reconstructive problems such as congenital limb malformations, post-traumatic and post-oncologic craniofacial deformities and adolescent breast disorders. I spend 25% of my time conducting clinical research on hand and pediatric plastic surgical projects that parallel and inform my clinical practice. Since 2006, I have spent 15% of my time in the capacity of residency directory within the department of plastic surgery orienting, teaching and mentoring 17 rotating residents per year. From a clinical perspective, I frequently collaborate with other sub-specialty surgeons to design reconstructive solutions to problems as diverse as skull-base or craniofacial malignancies, congenital genitourinary anomalies or extremity traumas. One of my recent cases of a phallic auto-transplantation was nominated by the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery for Best Microsurgical Case of 2008. In the past 2 years, I have authored several papers highlighting novel techniques within microsurgical scalp and pediatric microsurgery and have taught an instructional course in the use of vascularized fascial flaps in upper extremity reconstruction at the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery meeting. My interest in post-traumatic and congenital hand anomalies has led to the development of a research program that will be a wellspring for future genetic and translational studies. Because of the association between congenital thumb anomalies and the bone marrow failure syndrome Fanconi anemia (FA), I have joined with Dr. David Williams, Chief of Hematology at CHB as part of a new 12 physician multi-disciplinary FA clinic. I am principle investigator on two IRB-approved projects dealing with FA in the congenital hand population: the projects involve the construction of a relational database of 2000 congenital hand patients treated at CHB, uncovering the complete phenotypic spectrum of these anomalies in probands as well as the incidence of associated hemataologic anomalies, such as FA. This database will then be the foundation for a prospective study of a novel screening test for FA in children with congenital hand anomalies, as this population appears to be at higher risk for the development of this devastating hematologic malignancy. In the past two years, I have been first or senior author on 4 original articles related to hand surgery and one book chapter related to congenital hand anomalies. I am a member of the editorial board of the journal HAND. In 2007, I initiated the Adolescent Breast Clinic at CHB, the first center of its kind in the United States. This multi-disciplinary center includes clinicians from plastic surgery, adolescent medicine, endocrinology, general surgery and nutrition and now attracts regional and national referrals to CHB. I am currently PI on 2 IRB-approved prospective and retrospective clinical research studies analyzing outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatment of adolescent breast disorders. We have a grant pending from the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation and I am senior or first author on three manuscripts on adolescent breast disorders currently in preparation. Since becoming residency director in 2006, I have established a curriculum in pediatric plastic surgery for all residents rotating through CHB. In addition to teaching in the operating room and clinic, I meet with every resident to discuss performance and areas for improvement. I have joined the Academy at CHB and will be developing a simulator-based training module for residents and fellows in plastic surgery. In summary, my interests and expertise in pediatric plastic surgery along with the wealth of resources at CHB and Harvard Medical School have allowed me to develop an innovative academic practice with novel research initiatives. Past Research Projects 1987-1988 PI: Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation Research, Thrombogenicity of Biomaterials, Jarvik Artificial Heart 1996-1998 PI: Churchill Fellowship Research, Glutamine Synthesis During Stress-The goal of this project was to study the transcriptional

• Children's Hospital Boston

  Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery
  300 Longwood Avenue

  Hunnewell 1

  Boston, MA  02115
  Phone: 617-355-4964
  Fax: 617-738-1657

Other Office Locations