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Ryan Heffelfinger, MD

Ryan Heffelfinger, MD

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RYAN HEFFELFINGER, MD

Jefferson University Physician
Academic Title: Professor
Director, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Head & Neck Microvascular Surgery

Years In Practice: 15

Specialties
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery – Facial Plastic & Reconstructive

Ryan N. Heffelfinger, MD, FACS is a Double Board Certified, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

As a Professor in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Philadelphia’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Heffelfinger is considered to be an outstanding teacher and lecturer. His practice encompasses the entire spectrum of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facial rejuvenation surgery (facelift), fat transfers, Botox and fillers, facial nerve paralysis treatment, corrective surgery for facial defects, ear reshaping, microsurgery, reconstruction of cancer patients and extensive post-traumatic deformities.

As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Heffelfinger specializes solely in plastic surgery of the face, head and neck. As such, his patients are assured of a focused expertise. He treats both children and adults.

Ryan N. Heffelfinger, M.D. received his undergraduate degree from Yale University where he played varsity soccer. He began his medical education at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received his MD degree and graduated at the top of his class. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was awarded the S. MacCuen Smith Memorial Prize in Otology.
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Dr. Heffelfinger completed his internship in general surgery followed by a surgical residency and specialization in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Dr. Heffelfinger was then chosen for a highly-specialized Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), at the University of California, Los Angeles. During his fellowship at UCLA, his entire experience focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck. Here he honed his skills in the latest techniques in rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction including microvascular reconstruction of complex facial deformities.

He returned to Jefferson in 2006 as the Director of Head and Neck Microvascular Surgery, and was soon named the Director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He was the first AAFPRS fellowship director in Philadelphia, and is very active in teaching the latest advancements and techniques in plastic surgery to residents and fellows. Dr. Heffelfinger has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a Philly Top Doc yearly since 2017.

Dr. Heffelfinger is Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of a small group of surgeons that has achieved Dual Board Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Surgeons.

In addition to his busy surgical practice, Dr. Heffelfinger has also been actively involved in several humanitarian organizations. He is one of five surgeons regularly serving the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute and Surgery Program (C.R.I.S.P.). He travels routinely to Nicaragua and Guatemala to treat children with facial deformities.

Patients refer to him as “Dr. Heff”, which reflects his personal approach to being a surgeon. He spends extra time making sure his patients fully understand each procedure he recommends. “My personal goal is to connect with a patient and create a unified vision as to our expectations and possibilities,” he says. “This ensures a natural result and a satisfied patient.”

Away from work, Dr. Heff enjoys attending Eagles and Sixers games. However, the Sixers are his second favorite basketball team; he proudly reports coaching his middle daughter’s hoops squad to an undefeated season this year. He still tries to dominate on the soccer turf, but is more effective at cheering for his children’s soccer teams every weekend. Whether it’s learning to surf in Costa Rica, or bar-b-queing in the backyard, his favorite times are those spent with his wife Michele of 15 years and his 3 beautiful children.

Medical Services

  • Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics
  • Center for Head and Neck Surgery
  • Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Board Certifications

  • Otolaryngology
  • Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Hospital Affiliation / Admitting Privileges

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Office Locations

PHILADELPHIA

925 Chestnut Street
7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 955-6760
Phone: (215) 503-3223
Fax: (215) 503-3736

Education

  • Jefferson Medical College, Medical School

Internship

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Residency

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Fellowship

  • UCLA Medical Center

Conditions

  • Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
  • Deviated Septum
  • Facial Aging
  • Facial Nerve Paralysis
  • Facial Trauma
  • Hair Loss
  • Head and Neck Cancers
  • Oral Cancer
  • Oropharyngeal Cancer
  • Salivary Gland Tumors
  • Sialolithiasis
  • Sinusitis
  • Skin Cancer
  • Stuffy Nose (Nasal Congestion)
  • Sun-Damaged Skin
  • Tonsil Cancer

Treatments

  • Botox
  • Browlift
  • Chemical Peels
  • C02 Laser
  • Ear Reconstruction
  • Earlobe Repair
  • Eyelid Lift
  • Facial Implants
  • Face Lift
  • Facial Reconstruction
  • Fat Grafting
  • Filler
  • IPL
  • Laser Hair Removal
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Nasal Valve Repair
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Tumescent Liposuction

Tests

  • Biopsy
  • Laryngoscopy with Biopsy
  • Strobovideolaryngoscopy

RSS Feed

Complications of free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction

Author(s):Funk, G.F. | Blackwell, K.E. | Heffelfinger, R.N.
Publication year: 2012
Journal / Book title: Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Reconstruction: A Defect-Oriented ApproachAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Microvascular free flap reconstruction of orbitocraniofacial defects

Author(s):Heffelfinger, R. | Murchison, A.P. | Parkes, W. | Krein, H. | Curry, J. | Evans, J.J. | Bilyk, J.R.
Publication year: 2013
Journal / Book title: OrbitAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Low-grade B-cell lymphoma presenting as a uvular mass

Author(s):Walker, R. | Heffelfinger, R.
Publication year: 2012
Journal / Book title: Ear, Nose and Throat JournalAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Incidence and management of rhinosinusitis after complex orbitofacial reconstruction

Author(s):Parkes, W.J. | Nyquist, G.G. | Rizzi, C. | Zhang, S. | Evans, J.J. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Rosen, M.R. | Curry, J.M.
Publication year: 2014
Journal / Book title: LaryngoscopeAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Novel irradiated axial rotational flap model in the rodent

Author(s):Luginbuhl, A. | Modest, M. | Yan, K. | Curry, J. | Heffelfinger, R.
Publication year: 2013
Journal / Book title: JAMA Facial Plastic SurgeryAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Laser Treatment of Skin Texture and Fine Line Etching

Author(s):Grunebaum, L.D. | Murdock, J. | Hoosien, G.E. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Lee, W.W.
Publication year: 2011
Journal / Book title: Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North AmericaAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Naso- or Orbitocutaneous Fistulas after Free Flap Reconstruction of Orbital Exenteration Defects: Retrospective Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Author(s):Tassone, P. | Gill, K.S. | Hsu, D. | Nyquist, G. | Krein, H. | Bilyk, J.R. | Murchison, A.P. | Evans, J.J. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Curry, J.M.
Publication year: 2017
Journal / Book title: Journal of Neurological Surgery, Part B: Skull BaseAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Piriform aperture enlargement for nasal obstruction

Author(s):Roy, S. | Iloreta, A.M.C. | Bryant, L.M. | Krein, H.D. | Pribitkin, E.A. | Heffelfinger, R.N.
Publication year: 2015
Journal / Book title: LaryngoscopeAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Ablative skin resurfacing

Author(s):Agrawal, N. | Smith, G. | Heffelfinger, R.
Publication year: 2014
Journal / Book title: Facial Plastic SurgeryAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Management of Forehead Scars

Author(s):Heffelfinger, R. | Sanan, A. | Bryant, L.M.
Publication year: 2017
Journal / Book title: Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North AmericaAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Aging effects on pedicled fasciocutaneous flap survival in rats

Author(s):Roy, S. | Aksamitiene, E. | Hota, S. | Zhang, L.-H. | Sciarrino, J. | Baker, A.L. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Tuluc, M. | Hoek, J.B. | Pribitkin, E.A.
Publication year: 2016
Journal / Book title: Head and NeckAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Repair of the dilated earlobe

Author(s):Sanan, A. | Heffelfinger, R.
Publication year: 2017
Journal / Book title: Ear, Nose and Throat JournalAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak after microvascular reconstruction of craniofacial defects with orbital exenteration

Author(s):Gill, K.S. | Hsu, D. | Tassone, P. | Pluta, J. | Nyquist, G. | Krein, H. | Bilyk, J. | Murchison, A.P. | Iloreta, A. | Evans, J.J. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Curry, J.M.
Publication year: 2017
Journal / Book title: LaryngoscopeAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Morbidity and Survival in Elderly Patients Undergoing Free Flap Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Author(s):Mitchell, C.A. | Goldman, R.A. | Curry, J.M. | Cognetti, D.M. | Krein, H. | Heffelfinger, R. | Luginbuhl, A.
Publication year: 2017
Journal / Book title: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (United States)Access all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Lizard bites of the head and neck

Author(s):Heffelfinger, R.N. | Loftus, P. | Cabrera, C. | Pribitkin, E.A.
Publication year: 2012
Journal / Book title: Journal of Emergency MedicineAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


A preliminary report of percutaneous craniofacial osteoplasty in a rat calvarium

Author(s):Parkes, W.J. | Greywoode, J. | O’Hara, B.J. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Krein, H.
Publication year: 2014
Journal / Book title: LaryngoscopeAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Photoaging

Author(s):Grunebaum, L.D. | Heffelfinger, R.N.
Publication year: 2011
Journal / Book title: Current Problems in DermatologyAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Subcutaneous vs Intramuscular Botulinum Toxin split-face randomized study

Author(s):Gordin, E.A. | Luginbuhl, A.L. | Ortlip, T. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Krein, H.
Publication year: 2014
Journal / Book title: JAMA Facial Plastic SurgeryAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Reconstruction of the radial forearm free flap donor site using integra artificial dermis

Author(s):Murray, R.C. | Gordin, E.A. | Saigal, K. | Leventhal, D. | Krein, H. | Heffelfinger, R.N.
Publication year: 2011
Journal / Book title: MicrosurgeryAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm


Evaluating New Technology

Author(s):Carniol, P.J. | Heffelfinger, R.N. | Grunebaum, L.D.
Publication year: 2018
Journal / Book title: Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North AmericaAccess all results for your search in Scopus
Author:
Posted: November 18, 2018, 4:30 pm

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925 Chestnut Street, 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-503-3223

Fax: 215-503-6742

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