Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery provides services to patients with deformities involving all parts of the body. Many patients come to us to have tumors removed surgically that could not be removed elsewhere because the resulting defect was too large or complex to allow a simple repair. With the specialized expertise in reconstructive microsurgery provided by this department, complex deformities of the head and neck, arms and legs, chest and pelvis as well as internally, can be managed effectively to allow a high quality of life for patients whose disease might have been judged "unrespectable" elsewhere.

The department has two surgeons; Dr. James Andersen and Dr. Mark Tan. Both physicians are board certified in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Andersen's microsurgery fellowship training was through the University of Southern California. Dr. Tan's microsurgery fellowship training was at the MD Anderson Cancer Center
in Houston. Both surgeons are members of the clinical faculty at the University of Southern California and are actively engaged in the USC Plastic Surgery training program.

In association with our oncologic surgeons, Dr. Andersen and Dr. Tan are able to achieve superior quality results in reconstructive surgery of the breast by utilizing tissue-sparing techniques for mastectomy combined with microsurgical tissue transplantation. Many patients are suitable for muscle sparing and muscle preserving techniques that provide excellent results with a minimum of
visible scaring. This department has a special interest in secondary reconstructive surgery of the breast in patients where unsatisfactory results have been obtained elsewhere.

Dr. Andersen and Dr. Tan are available for clinical consultation and joint participation in reconstructive surgical procedures at Huntington Memorial Hospital and City of Hope.

James Andersen, M.D.
Director, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery