Research

Our faculty are dedicated researchers, working to improve the health of our patients through clinical trials and research studies. Stay up to date with the most recent publications from the Department of Surgery.

General Surgery

Endocrine Surgery

The broad areas of interest include surgical disease of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, endocrine pancreas and neuroendocrine tumors of the intestinal tract. Current research at Loyola includes evaluation of the benefits of surgery in patients with minimal symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, evaluation of the efficacy of needle biopsy in the management of thyroid nodules, use of laparoscopy for removal of adrenal gland tumors, and the development of better techniques for localizing islet cell tumors of the pancreas.  Ongoing clinical activities include the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, thyroid malignancy, hyperparathyroidism, familial endocrine disease, neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas, and adrenal disorders.

Pediatric Surgery

Interest in research on a variety of subjects is being fostered. The Department of Surgery, the Department of Pediatrics, the Section of Neonatology, and the Department of Physiology cooperate closely on these research projects.

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Areas of investigation and studies currently underway within the Division of Plastic Surgery include:

• biology of aging skin
• wound healing agents
• anatomic landmarks in augmentation mammaplasty
• speech patterns after cleft palate repair

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Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

Collaborative clinical research projects evaluate the effectiveness of treatment options and outcomes when advances are integrated into health care. Our clinical research focuses on non-invasive diagnostic evaluation, epidemiology of vascular disorders, and evaluation of patient treatment outcomes. We are also involved in a number of industry-sponsored device trials.  This allows us to inform physicians and patients of the alternative forms of treatment so they can choose appropriately between treatment options. The division's basic science research program is widely recognized and focuses on humoral and cellular mechanisms for intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis, hemostasis and thrombosis, and biocompatibility of vascular prosthetic grafts.

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Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Burns

The Department of Surgery provides continuity for clinical care, teaching, and research within a single academic and administrative entity.  The Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Burns includes the Section of Trauma Surgery, Section of Surgical Critical Care, and Section of Burn Surgery. The emphasis on critical care and teaching is further complimented by the strong research interest of the faculty and the support of the Loyola University Burn and Shock Trauma Institute, a multidisciplinary center for research into the epidemiology and control of injury related to trauma and burns. The Institute has amassed over $8 million in funding in FY 2009 and FY 2010 from federal and private sources to conduct cutting edge basic science and clinical research.

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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Medicine

The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Medicine is committed to the advancement of both fields through research.  Major research includes:

• Oral and maxillofacial reconstruction after ablative cancer surgery
• Temporomandibular joint reconstruction with custom prostheses using CAD/CAM technology
• Oral implantology

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