Board certified plastic surgeons at Riley Children’s Health provide a wide range of reconstructive surgical care to pediatric patients. Treating children across Indiana and regionally, our fellowship- trained surgeons are committed to providing advanced and compassionate care to restore patients to their best selves. PLASTIC SURGERY
Advanced technologies and procedures ■ Corneal neurotization to preserve vision in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy ■ Cross C7 nerve transfers to reconstruct severe brachial plexus injuries ■ Cultured epithelial autografts enabling greater survival from massive burns ■ Free functional muscle transplants for facial paralysis and eyelid animation ■ Distraction lengthening of mandible and cranial vault for severe airway compromise or craniosynostosis ■ Simultaneous nerve
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Study topics ■ Impact of novel surgical procedures for Moebius syndrome
(funded by the Moebius Syndrome Foundation) ■ Cellular basis for neurotrophic keratopathy
■ New ways to deliver drugs to injured nerves to improve regeneration and function (funded by the U.S. Department of Defense) ■ Cleft and craniofacial surgical outcomes
Specialized programs
TOP DISTINCTIONS
Corneal Neurotization Program We collaborate with Riley Ophthalmology to treat pediatric neurotrophic keratopathy using nerve transfers and nerve grafts to provide new sensation to insensate corneas to reverse blindness. Cleft and Craniofacial Program One of the first such programs established in the U.S., our comprehensive, multidisciplinary program defines the standard of care for facial reconstruction. Pediatric Burn Center Riley Children’s has the only pediatric burn center in Indiana certified by the American Burn Association. Established in 1971, the center includes a self-contained burn ICU and inpatient unit. Adolescent Breast and Chest Program We offer surgical options for patients with macromastia, gynecomastia, breast asymmetry, Poland syndrome and pectus
■ Only facility in the state to offer microtia reconstruction, infant ear molding and jaw distraction ■ One of the few programs in the nation—and the first in Indiana—to perform corneal neurotization for neurotrophic keratopathy ■ Largest cleft and craniofacial care team in Indiana and the only program approved by the American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association ■ One of the few centers
Registries and clinical trials ■ Corneal neurotization registry ■ Facial paralysis clinical trial ■ Brachial plexus injury registry ■ Spray skin for burns clinical trial ■ Spiritual care trial registry
28 research publications in 2025
reconstruction and tendon transfer in brachial plexus birth palsy
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal: April 2026 Cleft-related revision procedures: Surgeon perspectives on shared decision-making and a decision aid prototype The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery: March–April 2025 Comparative analysis of patient-reported outcomes after cranial vault remodeling and strip craniectomy with the FACE-Q craniofacial module Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open: November 2025 Active nerve management for below-knee amputation: A comparison of approaches Facial Plastic Surgery: June 2025 Overview of unilateral and bilateral pediatric facial paralysis: Workup, treatment and frontiers Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery: November 2025 Comparison of hypoglossal nerve transfer and hypoglossal jump nerve graft techniques for facial reanimation: A systematic review Hand: February 2026 A systematic review of hyperselective neurectomy for management of the spastic upper limb
excavatum/carinatum. Facial Paralysis Program Riley Children’s delivers leading-edge treatment to children with all forms of congenital and developmental facial paralysis, including acquired facial paralysis from tumors, trauma or
nationally to use spray skin burn coverage technology
Plastic surgeons at Riley Children’s
perform distraction of the mandible with 3D visualization and planning to optimize outcomes, particularly for patients with underdeveloped mandibles that lead to functional issues and aesthetic concerns.
other causes. Hand Program We provide operative solutions and treatment for all types of congenital and developmental hand conditions, as well as disabilities caused by trauma and other circumstances. Brachial Plexus Program Our multidisciplinary program provides total care for injuries to the brachial plexus that present significant surgical challenges to reconstruction; treatment methods include nerve surgery, rehabilitation, and joint and tendon rebalancing.
DIVISION CHIEF Gregory H. Borschel, MD, FAAP, FACS, FAAPS James Joseph Harbaugh, Jr. Professor of Plastic Surgery, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Borschel on Doximity.
6 board certified physicians
See full team member list >
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