Division of Plastic Surgery
Rm. 4929, New Halifax Infirmary
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre
Halifax, NS B3H 3A7

Phone: (902) 473-7054
Fax: (902) 473-8773

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Skin and muscle vascular anatomical studies.

We have performed a series of cadaver injection studies over the past ten years and have comprehensively documented the vascular anatomy of many areas of the skin and the intra and extramuscular neurovascular anatomy of major muscles of the body. The information assists in the planning of skin and muscle flap surgery.

Skin and muscle flap physiological studies

We have completed a series of experiments to elucidate the effect of a vascular delay procedure on skin and muscle flap survival. The delay procedure appears to increase the caliber of blood vessels within flaps and increases blood flow but the mechanism remains unclear. Further studies over the next few years will be dedicated to clarifying the physiologic basis of the delay procedure.

Biomechanical assessment of hand surgical techniques

Bone anchors offer many advantages in hand surgery including ease of application, efficiency, and effectiveness. We have performed several studies of the bone anchor system to reconstruct ligaments in the hand and further studies are planned.

Anatomical and biomechanical assessment of microsurgical donor sites

In a series of studies over the past several years in our laboratory, a number of the microsurgical donor sites have been assessed comprehensively to evaluate their suitability for microsurgery. These studies provide detailed descriptions of the anatomy and biomechanical effects of the microsurgical flap harvest.

Clinical research work

A database of all plastic surgical procedures has been set up and administered by Ms. Nieva McLellan, the Plastic Surgery Research Nurse Coordinator. A variety of ongoing clinical studies are carried out in the Division of Plastic Surgery and clinical trials are ongoing.

Major Collaborators

Dr. Daping Yang

Dr. Gail Anderson

Ms. Nieva McLellan

Mr. Andrew Milne

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Yang D, Morris SF. Reversed dorsal digital and metacarpal island flaps supplied by the dorsal cutaneous branches of the palmar digital artery.
Ann Plast Surg. 2001 Apr;46(4):444-9.

Yang D, Morris SF. Vascular basis of dorsal digital and metacarpal skin flaps.
J Hand Surg [Am]. 2001 Jan;26(1):142-6.

Yang D, Morris SF. Vascular basis of the retro-auricular flap. Annals of Plastic Surgery 1998;40:28-33.

Yang D, Morris SF. Effect of the extract from saliva miltiorrhiza radix on skeletal muscle ischemia and reperfusion injury in rabbits. Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery 1997;5:171-175.

Morris SF, Taylor GL. The time sequence of delay. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1995;95:526-533.

Taylor GI, Gianoutsos MP, Morris SF. The neurovascular territories of skin and muscles: Anatomical and clinical implications. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1994;94:1-36.

Boyd JB, Morris SF, Rosen IB, Gullane P, Rotstei I, Freeman JL. The through-and-through oromandibular defect: Rationale for aggressive reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1994;93:44-53.