Dr. Pravin K. Patel

 

My clinical and research interest is in caring for children and young adults with pediatric plastic surgery, craniofacial and maxillofacial conditions.

 

Years in Practice

I have an active clinic practice in Chicago for more than 25 years since 1994.

 

Clinical and Research Interests

I specialize in the care of children with deformities that involve the skull and facial bones (craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery). This includes children with abnormal development of the skull as a result of craniosynostosis (fused skull joints or sutures), abnormal position of the orbits of the eye (hyperteleorbitism), malpositioned jaws (overgrowth and undergrowth of the upper and lower jaw bones), conditions such as hemifacial microsomia, treacher collins and other syndromes, children born with facial clefts (cleft lip and palate). Our patients have access to a well experienced dedicated multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, orthodontists, prosthodontists, speech pathologists and psychologists.  My research parallels my clinical practice with a focus in improving outcomes, neurodevelopment of children with craniosynostosis, biomechanics of maxillofacial surgery and development of 3D imaging and computer guided surgery.

 

Experience

I have more than twenty-five years experience in treating complicated cleft, craniofacial and jaw problems. Many patients come from throughout the United States and other countries for their surgical reconstruction. Cumulative experience as of 2010 was with over 500+ patients with cleft reconstruction, 500+ craniosynostosis and 750+ patients with various maxillofacial/orthognathic surgical procedures. My practice is focused on pediatric and young adults who need reconstructive surgery.

 

Technology

I have significant experience with using 3D cameras and 3D radiologic imaging data capture and analysis, computer guided treatment planning, virtual surgical simulation and intra-operative guidance allows for efficient and more precise intra-operative surgery, minimizing complications, faster recovery and improved outcomes.  Today our Craniofacial Center is the first in the world to have developed a virtual reality platform working with the engineering team at the Univeristy of Illinois and is now ImmersiveTouch Inc  (www.immersivetouch.com)

 

Comprehensive Care

We have the ability to provide comprehensive and coordinated approach to care, with a multidisciplinary skilled care team from diagnosis to surgical treatment. The cleft team includes otolaryngology, audiology, speech/language pathology, psychology, orthodontics and prosthodontics.  In addition neurosurgery and ophthalmology are involved in patients with crainosynostosis and related conditions.

 

Research and Publications

With my background in electrical engineering and a clinical interest in innovative technological application to solving surgical problems has resulted in publications in peer reviewed journals, book chapters, presentations at national and international meetings.

 

Academic / Hospital Positions

I am Chief of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery at the University of Illinois.  I am the Director of the Craniofacial Center and I am the Chief of Pediatric Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery at University of Illinois Heath & Medical Science Center.  I am a tenured Professor of Surgery at University of Illinois in Chicago.  For 25 years I was the Chief of the Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children.  I am involved in teaching the next generation of medical students at the University of Illinois and teaching plastic surgical residents from University of Illinois, Northwestern University and University of Chicago, Loyola University and the Univeristy of Chicago.

 

Education / Surgical Training

I studied quantum electrodynamics at Johns Hopkins University, worked as an electrical engineer at IBM, attended Brown University, and studied medicine at Hahnemann University (now Drexel University College of Medicine). I trained in General Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, was a Research Fellow at University of Chicago and a Plastic Surgery Fellow at Northwestern University. I then completed a Fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery at University of California at Los Angeles. After a decade of post-graduate surgical training, I returned to Chicago where I have been in practice since 1994.