Mario G. Solari, MD

Dr. Mario Solari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery with a secondary appointment in the Department of Otolaryngology, both within University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. He performs reconstructive surgery including head and neck, chest, abdominal wall, pelvic, and extremity reconstruction following trauma or cancer surgery. He specializes in microvascular reconstructive surgery. Dr. Solari performed his undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and earned his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston. He completed his plastic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh. He took time away from clinical duty during residency to pursue a 2-year extramural NIH fellowship (NRSA) studying the immunology of vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA, such as hand and facial tissue transplantation). After graduating from plastic surgery residency, he completed a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Solari is Director of the Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation and Microsurgery (VCAM) Laboratory. His major research goal is to devise more effective and efficient ways to reconstruct complex defects from tissue loss. One focus is elucidating the immunobiology of VCA and developing strategies that limit systemic immunosuppression, prevent acute and chronic rejection, promote allograft longevity, and maximize functional outcome. Another focus is engineering vascularized constructs for wound healing and complex tissue replacement. Dr. Solari’s clinical research interests concentrate on improving clinical outcomes after microvascular reconstruction and integrating new technologies into clinical practice. He uses virtual surgical planning with computer modeling, 3D printing, and patient-specific guides and plates for craniofacial reconstruction in his clinical practice. He engages in research to advance these technologies to improve outcomes. Dr. Solari is a founding member of the American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation (ASRT), as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society of Transplantation (AST) (Vascular Composite Allotransplant Advisory Council, 2015-present), the Plastic Surgery Research Council (PSRC) (Scientific Program Committee, 2014-present), the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons (NESPS) (Scientific Program Committee, 2015-present), and the Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons (OVSPS).  He also serves as an Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group) and Frontiers- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery. View a list of Dr. Solari’s publications here.