Scripps Physician Co-writes Book on Reconstructive Facial Surgery

Salvatore J. Pacella, MD, division head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital, has co-written a textbook detailing the latest advances in facial reconstruction after skin cancer.

The book, “Aesthetic Facial Reconstruction After Mohs Surgery,” includes a chapter written by Hubert Greenway, MD, chairman of Mohs and dermatologic surgery at Scripps Clinic.

The textbook, which is aimed at plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons in training, is a comprehensive guide on the repair of soft tissue defects of the face after Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is regarded as the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer.

"Being diagnosed with skin cancer can be a devastating experience for anyone. Of course you want to have the cancer removed but you also want to be satisfied with all the results. This includes repairing all aspects of the face with minimal scarring," Dr. Pacella said. “This book focuses on the latest advances in plastic surgery that minimize scarring so that it can be barely perceptible."

Dr. Pacella provided more than 30 hand-drawn illustrations for the book, which contains more than 700 photographs and comes with a five-hour instructional video.

Dr. Pacella, who lives in Carmel Valley with his family, is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and is on the board of the Scripps Clinic Medical Group. He also volunteers with Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a nonprofit that provides free reconstructive plastic surgery for children with facial deformities.

Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.