Practice News

For Immediate Release

19-YEAR OLD PARALYZED PATIENT REGAINS FULL MOBILITY OF ARM AFTER RECENT LIVING-DONOR NERVE TRANSPLANT

Patient’s Recovery Unprecedented and Supersedes Previous Prognoses for Recovery

SHREWSBURY, NJ – September 29, 2004 – The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that 19-year old Melissa Gomez, who received a rare living-donor nerve transplant in May, has regained full mobility of her once paralyzed arm. Ms. Gomez’s level of recovery is unprecedented in documented nerve transplant cases and supersedes all previous prognoses for her recovery.

In May 2004, Dr. Andrew Elkwood, M.D., of the Plastic Surgery Center, led a team of medical professionals in performing a rare living-donor nerve transplant to reverse the paralysis of Ms. Gomez’s arm, which was sustained in a car accident in 2003.  The nerve transplant is a complex procedure that utilizes advanced technology in order to reverse many life-altering paralyses.  As part of this particular procedure, the medical team surgically removed nerves from Ms. Gomez’s father’s leg, and simultaneously transplanted them into her arm.  The procedure also required the doctors to take nerves from Ms. Gomez’s own legs and transplant them into her arm.

Dr. Elkwood is part of the medical team at the Plastic Surgery Center, which is comprised of a group of surgeons who are highly skilled in nerve transplantation and advanced reconstruction. They perform a number of unique operations to help patients suffering from life-altering medical conditions who are often unaware that a treatment is available. Some of these conditions that the Plastic Surgery Center treats include:

• Paralysis resulting from accidents and strokes
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Paralyzed diaphragm/ventilator-based breathing
• Facial Reanimation

About The Plastic Surgery Center

Located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, The Plastic Surgery Center’s team of doctors has more than 50 years of combined experience performing facial, skin, and body cosmetic surgery. They offer cutting edge cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and have developed a number of innovative surgical techniques offered at few other facilities in the world. The Plastic Surgery Center doctors are committed to excellence providing exceptional, personalized care in a friendly, comfortable setting using the most advanced equipment available. For further information, please visit the Plastic Surgery Center’s website at www.looknatural.com.

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