The research of the Division of Plastic Surgery is focused on understanding the basic mechanisms of wound healing and scar contracture so that rational and innovative therapies can be implemented to improve wound healing and prevent surgical complications. Research laboratories are located at the Bay Pines VAMC under the direction of Wyatt Payne, M.D. and at the Tampa General Hospital under the direction of Rachel Karlnoski, PhD, CHRC and David J. Smith, MD.

Our current Basic Science Projects include:

• The use of Amnion-Derived Multi-potential Cells and their products for the healing of acute and chronic wounds
• The effect of anti-contraction agents on fibroblasts isolated from tissue fibrosing conditions including scar, keloid, hypertrophic scar, Dupuytren’s contracture, and rhinophyma
• Mechanisms of Impaired Wound Healing in the Elderly
• Modulation of oxidative stress in ischemic wounds
• Development of a clinically relevant aged diabetic rat model for wound healing studies

Clinical Research Projects:

• The use of Dermagraft in Venous stasis ulcers
• The use of Integra in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
• The use of Iodosorb in infected Diabetic Foot Ulcer
• The use of Tegaderm Matrix in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
• Risk factors and preventative strategies for Pressure Ulcers

Goals for the future

Outcomes studies: particularly breast reconstruction, cutaneous oncology, fat grafting. Use of fat as a source of autologous mesenchymal stem cells to improve scars.