CURRENT RESEARCH & CLINICAL STUDIES
As part of Dr Dufresne’s active research program, he conducts clinical studies of his own design to improve the lives and wellbeing of his patients, advance the practice of plastic surgery, and illuminate new paths forward for additional research. As required by US Federal regulation and international agreement, all studies are listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Shining Light on the Future of Scientific Surgery
Dr Dufresne maintains a very active research program, with multiple institutional review board-approved studies and two areas of current focus. Additionally, Dr Dufresne works actively with the US National Institutes of Health and other institutions and individuals on clinical research projects. The information below describes Dr Dufresne’s current study and areas of focus. For study enrollment, contact the Research and Press Office.
Research and Press Office Contact
Active Human Participant Clinical Studies
Clinical Outcomes of Free Dermal Fat Autografting for Complex Craniofacial Wounds (FTFDT1)
This study evaluates the outcomes of using of free autologous dermal fat grafting to treat complex craniofacial wounds that have failed standard treatment and to understand major preoperative patient characteristics, such as primary wound complication and type of wound. Charts are reviewed for patients who have undergone free autologous dermal fat grafting to treat complex craniofacial wounds 2-30 years ago.
Long Term Status of Free Dermal Fat Autografts for Complex Craniofacial Wounds (FTFDT2)
This study will evaluate the use of free autologous dermal fat grafting (also called free dermal fat autografting) to treat complex craniofacial wounds that have failed standard treatment and to understand how well these grafts work to repair wounds long term. Patients who have undergone free autologous dermal fat grafting to treat complex craniofacial wounds 2-30 years ago will have photographs and small biopsies taken of the area that was grafted.
Short Term Status of Free Dermal Fat Autografts for Complex Craniofacial Wounds (FTFDT3)
This study will evaluate the use of free autologous dermal fat grafting (also called free dermal fat autografting) to treat complex craniofacial wounds that have failed standard treatment and to understand how well these grafts work to repair wounds long term. Patients who have undergone free autologous dermal fat grafting to treat complex craniofacial wounds less than 1 week ago will have photographs and small biopsies taken of the area that was grafted. Patients will be followed for 2 years to monitor the area that was grafted.
Continuing with his interest in craniofacial reconstruction and congenital craniofacial syndromes, Dr Dufresne’s current research focuses in two areas:
- free dermal fat autografting for use in complex craniofacial wounds that have not responded to more routine treatment
- Freeman-Burian syndrome (formerly Freeman-Sheldon syndrome)
research areas
with active studies seeking enrolment
Free Dermal Fat Autografting for Complex Craniofacial Wounds
Definition
Complex craniofacial wounds (CCW) are those considered to be refractory to initial reconstructive and antibiotic treatment and may involve chronic infection, exposed hardware, irradiated local tissue, and soft tissue volume loss. They are a functional, aesthetic, quality-of-life, and economic burden and have many aetiologies and impact patients of all ages from diverse socio-economic and geographical backgrounds.
Background
The project represents an over three-decade experience with a novel use of free dermal fat autografts (DFA). The goal of this project is to evaluate if free DFA can serve as a less involved, more dynamic approach than the standard of microvascular flaps to facilitate healing and reconstruction for CCW.
Goals
A retrospective cohort study has being completed, presented, and published. A follow-up study will evaluate the long-term viability of free DFA for CCW through clinical and histological assessments of free DFA recipient and undisturbed tissue at donor sites in patients from the original cohort. A third study will evaluate patients beginning immediately after free DFA up to 2 years after free DFA to evaluate short and medium-term outcomes.
Freeman-Burian syndrome
Definition
Freeman-Burian syndrome (FBS; MIM 193700), formerly Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a rare congenital myopathic craniofacial syndrome, about which relatively little is known. With the exception of our recently published anaesthesia recommendations, no clinical guidelines are available. Considerable clinical variability in severity is observed in FBS patients, but diagnosis requires the following: microstomia, whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), H or V-shaped chin defect, and prominent nasolabial folds. Some patients do not have limb malformations, but essentially all do, typically camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the hand and talipes equinovarus.
Background and Goals
This project represents over three-decades of clinical experience caring for patients and their families and an over decade-long deliberative process by a diverse group of clinicians, a patient representative, and family representatives to consider and form a consensus around the definition, classification, nomenclature, and clinical care framework for this condition. Several detailed case reports illustrating critical aspects of care have also been published in support of this project.
Industry
Sponsored Research
Focusing on small and start-up companies needing low risk, non-implantable medical device testing and all types of studies involving rare craniofacial conditions, Dr Dufresne is happy to offer his assistance and decades of research experience to help companies bring important products to market for the benefit of humanity. Dr Dufresne’s research operation is diversified, efficient, productive, and effective, running with little overhead but comparatively high research output. We look forward to hearing from you and understanding how we may be able to assist you.
- Clinical Research Site
- Consulting on Protocol Design
- Professional Writing Management
- Coaching
- And so much more!
Focusing on small and start-up companies needing low risk, non-implantable medical device testing and all types of studies involving rare craniofacial conditions, Dr Dufresne is happy to offer his assistance and decades of research experience to help companies bring important products to market for the benefit of humanity. Dr Dufresne’s research operation is diversified, efficient, productive, and effective, running with little overhead but comparatively high research output. We look forward to hearing from you and understanding how we may be able to assist you.
- Clinical Research Site
- Consulting on Protocol Design
- Professional Writing Management
- Coaching
- And so much more!
Contact our office to schedule a time for your research consultation with Dr Dufresne’s research office.
