Section of Plastic Surgery
Director: John J. Coleman, III, M.D.
James E. Bennett Professor of Plastic Surgery

Indiana University Hospital:

• IU-Simon Cancer Center
• Tertiary care center for complex cases in Indiana University

Wishard Memorial Hospital:

• Level I trauma center
• Level I Verified Burn Unit
• City County Public Hospital
• Plastic Surgery and Hand Services for the Indianapolis-Marion County underserved

Riley Hospital for Children:

• Level I Trauma Center
• Level I verified Pediatric Burn Unit
• Location of Craniofacial Programs
• Pediatric Plastic Surgery Services provided here

Roudebush VAMC:

• Busy clinics and schedules for general plastic surgery services
• Comprehensive Plastic Surgery services for the Indiana and Illinois Veterans population

Clarian North Hospital:

• Location of inclusive women's cancer care practice center
• Monthly Saturday craniofacial clinics

Specialty Programs:

Burn Centers:

Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center: The burn center treats more than 350 inpatients and over 1,500 outpatients each year. The burn unit is at Wishard is regarded as one of the finest and most progressive burn centers in the United States and is located above the Wishard Level I Trauma Center. The majority of severely burned patients throughout Indiana are sent to the Wishard Burn Unit.

Riley Hospital Burn Unit: Riley hospital houses the pediatric burn unit for the Level I, Riley hospital Trauma center. This is Indiana's only pediatric burn center. The burn unit treats over 150 inpatients and more than 1,400 outpatients per year.

Craniofacial Program: The Craniofacial program at Riley hospital is a multi-disciplinary approach to treating patients with craniofacial anomalies and birth defects of the skull and face. The team of doctors including the Plastic Surgeons, Audiologists, Pediatricians, Geneticist, Neuroradiologists, Ophthalmologist, Orthodontists, Otolaryngologists, Psychologist, Pulmonologists and Social Workers work to provide comprehensive care for children with craniofacial reconstruction.

Breast Reconstruction: Plastic Surgery works closely with the general surgery team to provide women with the highest quality breast reconstruction. We provide many different solutions to reconstruction so the patient can find the most suitable for her needs. They are internationally trained in diep flap reconstruction and one of the few programs in Indiana offering this new type of breast reconstruction.

Hand Surgery: Hand Surgery, as well as traumatic hand injuries are taken care of by the Plastic Surgery Service. In addition to hand training during residency, four of the plastic surgeons have completed a further fellowship in hand surgery. The scope of practice includes the treatment of complex congenital abnormalities, peripheral nerve compressive syndromes, joint replacement and the array of complex traumatic injuries including replantation.

Skin Cancer: Our Plastic Surgery group has extensive training in removal and reconstruction of skin cancers. We work closely with other medical disciplines in the treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers. Additionally, a melanoma and skin care center that was initiated in 1995.

Cosmetic Surgery: In addition to expertise in reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery is also provided by the Indiana University Plastic Surgeons. Many cosmetic procedures are preformed as well as body contouring after significant weight-loss. Our program also provides non-operative therapies such as skin care, Botox, and filler therapies.

Other Programs:

Micro-Vascular Laboratory and Training: One of the longest running comprehensive microsurgery training labs providing complex surgery training for plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, ophthalmologists and others. The laboratory hosts trainings, seminars and courses for residents, students and other learners looking to practice microsurgical skills. Additionally they have a surgical skills course for medical students.

Camp about Face: The Camp about Face began in 1988 and is designed for children with craniofacial anomalies. Children from the ages of 8-18 are provided a safe and supportive camping environment where the children can create self-esteem and self-confidence. Additionally, the campers create long lasting friendships with others who share similar life experiences. This is a one week camp in the summer that is planned by the Craniofacial Program office.

Yearly Mission trips: Members of the Plastic Surgery group do yearly mission trips to underserved nations to provide quality patient reconstruction. The group has been to India, Haiti and South America. Specifically, we have fostered a relationship with The Hospital Blume in San Salvador, El Salvador. This is the only pediatric hospital in El Salvador and our group spends time there doing burn surgery, hand surgery and cleft lip and cleft palate surgery.