Aims and objectives

The Research Unit of the Department of Plastic Surgery performs research to improve the patient care.

We aim at evaluating data from clinical practise, patient demographics and their outcomes.

We wish to evaluate and implement new surgical techniques in a sound scientific environment to ensure an evidence-based clinical practise.

The expertise gained from our research activities is  also used in teaching as well as contributing to national and international clinical guidelines and text books.

Focus areas

We have in particular expert knowledge in melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, breast reconstruction, lymphoedema and reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss.

For melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer we conduct studies to gain a better understanding of the causes, development, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, follow-up, morbidity, quality of life, recurrence and survival, often through wide-ranging collaboration with other departments.

Scientific studies to evaluate surgical methods for breast reconstruction, safety, complications, cosmetic results, and patient satisfaction are being performed or under planning.  

For lymphoedema we run projects looking at both prevention and diagnosis, as well as conservative and micro surgical treatment.

Research in reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss comprise development of tools for assessing the degree of deformity, evaluation of complications, and impact of plastic surgery intervention for long term results of bariatric surgery. 

Disciplines, methods and tools

We currently run several clinical studies, some prospective, others retrospective cohort studies.

In addition epidemiological studies are performed in collaboration with other research institutions

Randomised clinical trials are employed to test different surgical interventions or regimes after surgery.