Microsurgery for Breast Reconstruction & Traumatic Wound Care

Riverside Healthcare is expanding its plastic and reconstructive surgery services with the addition of microsurgery. This is a specialized technique that helps patients recover from severe injuries, trauma, and breast cancer treatments like mastectomy. In this article, plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Alec Fisher explains how microsurgery works. He also shares why having it available here is such an important step for the community.

What Is Microsurgery?

Microsurgery involves connecting tiny blood vessels under a microscope. These vessels are so small that the stitches used to repair them are finer than a human hair. This precision allows surgeons to move healthy tissue from one part of the body to another. Doing so restores areas damaged by injury, surgery, or disease.

“The big thing microsurgery allows you to do is take tissue from somewhere that it’s expendable. Meaning, the abdomen or the thigh, and then move it anywhere in the body where you need it,” states Dr. Fisher. By reconnecting the blood vessels in the new location, the tissue can survive and help the area heal.

Expanding Care for the Community

Dr. Fisher is Riverside’s first microsurgeon. His arrival means patients no longer have to travel to larger hospitals for advanced care. “As far as I know, there’s nobody who offers microsurgery between Chicago and Peoria,” he notes. “It’s nice I can bring this to the community.”

Microsurgery plays a key role in two major areas of care at Riverside: 

• breast reconstruction after mastectomy
• treatment for severe trauma or wounds that won’t heal on their own

For example, in cases of major injuries with exposed bone, surgeons may need to use hardware to put the bones back together. If there is not enough remaining tissue to close the wound and cover that hardware, microsurgery can move tissue from another part of the body to cover and protect the area. This can often prevent infection. In some cases, it can even save a limb from amputation.

Healing Complex Wounds

When someone experiences a traumatic injury, microsurgery can make a life-changing difference. Dr. Fisher explains that an unclosed wound can lead to infection and long-term damage if not treated properly. “If the trauma is so bad that the skin and muscle can’t cover the wound and hardware, it’ll get infected,” he cautions. “Once we know there’s not enough tissue to cover the bone or the hardware, I can bring tissue from somewhere else. I cover it and preserve the leg to save it after a traumatic injury.”

He can use this approach anywhere on the body (scalp, face, arms, legs, back, abdomen). It helps wounds heal faster, lowers infection risk, and gives patients better functional and cosmetic results.

Recovery and Results

Because microsurgery often involves moving and reconnecting tissue, recovery can take time. “I quote patients three to five days in the hospital after most microsurgical procedures,” Dr. Fisher offers. “But, the idea is we’re preventing wounds that will never heal.”

He also emphasizes the importance of achieving results that look and feel natural. “There’s a principle in plastic surgery where we try to replace like tissue with like tissue. I try to make the results as natural-looking as possible.”

A Team-Based Approach

Dr. Fisher collaborates with other specialists throughout Riverside to support patients from surgery through recovery. “I play a small part in a greater team,” he shares. “I work with trauma surgeons, breast surgeons, the ICU, nurses, and therapists. We all ensure patients have what they need to succeed at home.”

That teamwork extends beyond physical recovery. Dr. Fisher also encourages seeking mental health support. “There’s a lot of mental trauma that can happen with these severe injuries. I like to have therapists talk to my patients. We assess if there’s anything to benefit them in that recovery process,” he assures.

Bringing Advanced Care Close to Home

For Dr. Fisher, offering this level of care in the area is highly rewarding. “I can provide comprehensive plastic surgery services and keep patients here,” he says. “Their families live here. Their loved ones are here. They want to see their support network when they’re in the hospital.”

He hopes that offering microsurgery at Riverside will help more patients receive the care they need—without having to leave the community. “It brings me a lot of pride to bring these techniques here and expand the scope of patients Riverside can treat,” he shares.

The Takeaway

Microsurgery is a complex but powerful procedure that helps patients heal from serious injuries and surgeries, all while restoring both function and confidence. As Dr. Fisher put it, “We’re happy to bring this service line to the community. We can take care of patients here so they don’t have to travel far from home.”

To learn more about Riverside's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery services, visit myrhc.net/plasticsurgery

Riverside Healthcare has also partnered with the Trauma Survivors Network, which connects survivors, enhances skills, and builds supportive communities. Learn more about Riverside's partnership with the Trauma Survivors Network here.