News

The Department of Surgery held its 4th Annual Research Day April 17. The department holds this event annually to advance its mission of improving patient care through research and training the next generation of surgeon–scientists. The event recognizes the accomplishments of fellows, residents, and students engaged in clinical or basic and translational research through the department.

The Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center was recently chosen to partner with the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association (ACPA) to distribute GUND teddy bears to cleft and craniofacial patients who visit the center.

A distinguishing feature of the Cleft Courage Bears is a stitched (repaired) cleft lip designed to bring comfort to cleft patients who may feel anxious about their facial differences. So far, the bears have been a hit with patients.

The U.S. News and World Report has ranked the Duke University School of Medicine 2nd in surgery among the best medical schools in the country. This 2nd place ranking is up considerably from the department’s 5th place ranking last year.

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) - An infection took a local woman's arms and legs, but a life-changing surgery at Duke gave back her independence. Deb Kelly is the first person in North Carolina to receive a bilateral hand transplant.

The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research has released its 2018 rankings of NIH funding for basic and clinical science departments, revealing that Duke Surgery ranks highest nationwide with more than $30 million in funding committed to research.

The KLS-Martin Group, a medical technology company that focuses on specialty markets, such as cranio-maxillofacial surgery, has awarded a $20,000 unrestricted educational grant for use toward the Allied Cleft Quality-Improvement and Research Network (ACQUIREnet) project.

In another first for the state and the region, a Duke Health team of over 40 hand surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room staff, residents, fellows, lab technicians, and other key staff performed a bilateral hand transplant on Thanksgiving Day.

With a buzzing phone and dinging inbox repeatedly begging for her attention, Dr. Georgia Beasley momentarily tunes out the chaos to discuss the journey that led to her current position at Duke. Here, she splits her time between treating melanoma patients in the clinic and researching novel treatments for the disease in the laboratory.

Smartphone technology could predict how well chronic wounds will heal

More than 6.5 million Americans with diabetes are affected by foot ulcers, which are the leading cause of lower extremity amputation. Of those patients who develop a foot ulcer, 6% will be hospitalized and approximately 14–24% will require amputation. Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of foot ulcers due to several factors, including nerve damage, poor circulation, and trauma.

The Duke Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery recently hosted the 5th Annual Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Trauma Anatomy Course for residents involved in the management of CMF trauma. Directed by Dr. David Powers, Associate Professor of Surgery, the course provides training in anatomy and treatment protocols, focusing on the principles of soft tissue management and its role in the treatment of CMF trauma and the principles of rigid fixation using conventional surgical hardware.