Burn Reconstruction Center
Questions? Contact Dr. Spence directly at 443.444.BURN [2876] or 866.412.BURN [2876] or complete this online form
The National Burn Reconstruction Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital was founded by Robert Spence, MD, FACS, in February 2008. Dr. Spence, medical director of the center, was trained in general surgery, plastic surgery and burn treatment at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
While serving in various clinical and teaching capacities at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, Dr. Spence has influenced the care of trauma victims around the world, notably through his development of skin banking concepts and innovative surgical techniques. Over the years, he has received numerous grants and academic appointments to study aspects of plastic surgery, trauma care, and acute burn treatment. Dr. Spence has become nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in burn reconstruction.
In creating a national Center of Excellence in burn reconstruction at MedStar Good Samaritan, Dr. Spence continues to raise public awareness of treatments available to burn survivors. The center combines his expertise with the hospital's comprehensive rehabilitation services, which are accredited by The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
Treating the Whole Person
Our multidisciplinary clinical team provides a full spectrum of comprehensive services to patients, offering modern plastic surgery services that correct dysfunction and deformities related to burn injury, as well as rehabilitation services that address the diverse late effects of a serious burn injury. Dr. Spence has more than 20 years experience in burn reconstruction surgery, and the center’s nurses and physical and occupational therapists provide expert support and guidance through recovery.
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital’s extensive rehabilitation services enable us to provide complete care for patients with the late effects of burn injuries. Our goal is to provide patients with every opportunity to heal, inside and out, and help them regain their quality of life and whole sense of self. We accomplish this by reducing the visibility of burn scars, correcting dysfunction, and providing access to counseling and support services to help resolve the psychological and social issues that often accompany scarring.
Determining Treatment
When evaluating your condition, Dr. Spence and his team will analyze the severity of your injury by noting the extent of the damage, considering options for replacing and repairing damaged tissues, as well as the risks involved with different types of surgery. Plastic surgeons are guided by a rule known as the “reconstructive ladder.” This rule simply states that a plastic surgeon should do the simplest procedure that will give the best result. The lower rungs of the ladder include the least-complex types of treatments, such as direct wound closure. Any highly complex procedure [like skin transplantation] would occupy one of the
ladder's highest rungs. A plastic surgeon will almost always begin at the bottom of the reconstructive ladder in deciding how to approach a patient's treatment, favoring the most direct, least complex way to achieve the best result.
The size, nature and extent of the injury or deformity will determine what treatment option is chosen and how quickly surgery is performed. Reconstructive surgery frequently demands complex planning and may require a number of procedures completed in stages.
Initial consultation appointments can last up to 45 minutes or more, and provide patients with an opportunity to discuss concerns related to a their burn injury, as well as the goals and results they hope to achieve. Follow-up care and outcome expectations also are discussed.
What to Expect
It is important for potential patients to realize that no surgery will remove all of their burn scars perfectly. However, reconstructive surgery aims to improve physical function and minimize the appearance of scars. If scar tightening limits the normal range of motion for certain joints [shoulder, neck, elbow, hands or legs], reconstructive surgery may be useful in releasing the tightness of these scars to improve movement. In addition, scars that are raised, thick or discolored may be improved by a variety of operative and non-operative techniques. Burn reconstruction begins when the scar has matured, usually 9 to 12 months after the date of the original burn injury.
Contact Dr. Spence directly at 443.444.BURN [2876] or 866.412.BURN [2876] or complete this online form
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