Dr. Mohammad Al-Qattan: “Hands of Legacy” – A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview”

02/03/25 • 39 min

In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Mohammad Al-Qattan shares his remarkable journey in plastic and hand surgery. From his early training in Canada as a Saudi national to overcoming the personal challenge of a multiple myeloma diagnosis, Dr. Al-Qattan reflects on the pioneering mentors who shaped his dedication to the craft. He also discusses how he balanced the demands of a high-pressure career with his personal life. This conversation provides a unique insight into the resilience, determination, and commitment that have defined Dr. Al-Qattan’s distinguished career and his significant contributions to the field of hand surgery.

Read a recent classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Al-Qattan and colleagues, “Open Surgical Excision of Dorsal Wrist Ganglia: Puncturing the Dome Reduces Surgery Time“: https://bit.ly/WristGangliaAlQattan

Dr. Mohammad Al-Qattan is a distinguished plastic surgeon and one of the foremost experts in hand surgery. After completing his medical education at King Saud University, Dr. Al-Qattan went on to train in plastic surgery at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. During his residency, he received a special gift from his mentor, Professor Stranc, who instilled in him the principle of "Remember your roots." This message, along with the dedication to becoming a "fourth-generation plastic surgeon," has guided Dr. Al-Qattan throughout his esteemed career. His work has combined clinical practice with groundbreaking research, and he has published nearly 500 articles, primarily focused on hand surgery and basic science.

As he reflects on his career, Dr. Al-Qattan's journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs, including overcoming a battle with multiple myeloma. Today, he is regarded as a pioneer in Saudi Arabia's plastic and hand surgery fields, having earned numerous accolades, including an Honorary Fellowship from the American College of Surgeons. His legacy as a teacher, clinician, and researcher continues to inspire future generations of surgeons, as he seeks to pass on his knowledge and passion for combining clinical excellence with scientific inquiry to the next generation of hand surgeons.

Your host, Dr. Vimal Gokani, is a senior Specialty Registrar in plastic surgery in London, England. Your producer & editor, Charlene Kok, is a Year 3 Medical Student in Imperial College London, England, with a keen interest in Plastic Surgery.

#PRSGlobalOpen #DeepCutsPodcast #PlasticSurgery #GiantsPlasticSurgery

#PRSGlobalOpen #DeepCutsPodcast #PlasticSurgery #GiantsPlasticSurgery

Previous Episode

Dr. Michael Bentz: Leveling Up “Measure Twice, Cut Once”

In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts, Dr. Michael Bentz discusses connecting with patients and building trust and rapport, the changes in pediatric plastic surgery over the last few decades, his approach to the syndactyly patient and the use of full thickness skin grafts, the nuances of placing upper and lower extremity splints in kids, teaching and giving feedback to residents, interviewing and selecting applicants for the residency program, what he considers to be a successful resident, and the lessons he learned from his mentors at PIttsburgh and Wisconsin.

Read a classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Bentz and colleagues, “What Influences a Plastic Surgery Resident to Pursue an Academic Career?”: https://bit.ly/PSAcadCareerInfluences_GOX

Dr. Michael Bentz is a Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. He recently stepped down as the chief of the Division of Plastic after 24 years and continues to serve as the Vice Chair in the Department of Surgery.

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Bentz completed medical school and a General Surgery residency at Temple University in Philadelphia, followed by a plastic surgery residency and a microvascular research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He stayed on at Pitt and became the residency program director, but left for Wisconsin in 1999 and has remained a fixture at the University of Wisconsin for the last 25 years, building a broad reconstructive practice including pediatric hand surgery; cleft lip and palate surgery; and general reconstruction of the chest, abdominal wall, extremity and head and neck in adults and children.

Dr. Bentz has served as Chair of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as an executive committee member for the Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery, and has co-edited the two-volume book, Principles and Practice of Pediatric Plastic Surgery. He received the Honorary Citation Award from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2018.

Your host, Dr. Puru Nagarkar, is a board-certified plastic and hand surgeon, and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

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Next Episode

Dr. David Song: Leveling Up Active Listening

In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts podcast, Dr. David Song discusses several key topics. He highlights the unique role that plastic surgeons can play as leaders within surgery and the broader medical system. Dr. Song emphasizes that being an excellent clinician with "street cred" is essential for effective leadership. He also talks about how to create and guide change effectively, and the importance of active listening in both surgery and patient care. Additionally, Dr. Song shares insights on preoperative and anesthetic modifications that can improve patient recovery after microsurgery. He explains why he always uses two separate venous systems in a DIEP flap and provides technical details on arterial anastomosis. He also discusses the latissimus immediate fat transfer flap for non-microsurgical autologous breast reconstruction. Finally, Dr. Song reflects on how being right and cultivating durable relationships can sometimes be at odds with each other.

Read a classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Song and Dr. James Economides, “Latissimus Dorsi and Immediate Fat Transfer (LIFT) for Complete Autologous Breast Reconstruction:” https://bit.ly/LIFT_Breast_Recon_GOX

Dr. David Song is the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, as well as a Professor and former Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery, and the former Chief of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery as well as a microsurgery fellowship at the University of Chicago, where he stayed on first as a faculty member, and then as the Chief of Plastic Surgery. He moved to Georgetown to become the Chair of Plastic Surgery in 2017, before recently moving into the role of Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs. Among his many leadership roles in plastic surgery, he is a former President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, former Chair of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and current chair of the ACGME Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee.

Your host, Dr. Puru Nagarkar, is a board-certified plastic and hand surgeon, and Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

#PRSGlobalOpen #DeepCutsPodcast #PlasticSurgery #LevelingUp