Introduction to the Guest Editor

I want to thank my colleague Dr. Reece for serving as guest editor for this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on Spino-Plastic Reconstruction. Rarely in Plastic Surgery do we see the dawn of a new subspecialty with value creation that represents a quantum leap in the procedures that impact our patients, colleagues, and fundamental philosophies and edicts. This is exactly what Dr. Reece presents to our specialty in this exciting issue. The work brings together leaders in neurosurgery, orthopaedics, and plastic surgery and is sentinel in its outreach and influence on complex spinal procedures. Spinoplastic reconstruction will certainly shape future surgical development where vascularized bone grafts can change our approach to complex problems, while safely and efficiently treating our patients. Perhaps most astounding is the expansion of the reconstructive ladder in terms of our concept of bone grafting with living tissue supplied by Sharpey's fibers blood vessels opening the way to applying this conception to other areas of the body. We also appreciate the efforts made by each outstanding author for contributing to this landmark issue.

Edward Reece, MD, MBA, FACS, FAAP is a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. In this capacity he serves as the Chief of Adult Plastic Surgery at Baylor as well as serving Texas Children's Hospital as the Chief of the Adult Surgery Service.

Dr. Reece received his MD and MS in applied anatomical science from Case Western Reserve University, and completed his post-doctoral fellowship training in plastic surgery at the University of Texas at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. He further completed a reconstructive and hand surgery fellowship at the University of Texas San Antonio and The Hand Center of San Antonio. He earned his MBA at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Combining technology and technique, Dr. Reece strives to elevate compassionate care with cutting-edge medical breakthroughs. He offers an advanced hand, nerve, and reconstructive surgery options to children and adults with injuries and congenital diseases, focusing on nerve surgery, free-tissue transfer, and progressive reconstructions. He has lead a team to create new procedures in complex spinal reconstruction using vascularized bone grafts. Dr. Reece's research interests focus on peripheral nerves and reconstructive surgery, telehealth as it relates to improving doctor-patient interactions, and coordinating efficient care and affordable cost and on vascularized bone graft applications in the spine and throughout the body.

Publication History

Article published online:
10 May 2021