A helping hand: Meet plastic and reconstructive surgeon Brianne Sullivan, M.D.

Surgeon Brianne Sullivan, M.D., focuses much of her work on one of the body’s most complex—and valuable—tools: the human hand. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with specialized training in hand surgery, she helps patients recover movement, strength and dexterity.

"You don’t fully appreciate how essential your hands are until something goes wrong," says Dr. Sullivan, who sees patients at the Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk. "I feel very privileged to restore that function and help people regain the ability to use their hands without limitations."

Dr. Sullivan was a competitive gymnast through her college years. With her athletic experience, she initially planned a career in physical therapy. While studying the subject, she took an anatomy course and was fascinated. She switched gears, heading to medical school, where she quickly fell in love with surgery.

"I realized plastic surgery incorporated everything I loved about surgery," she says. "Whether I’m rebuilding form and function after a trauma or injury or performing procedures like breast reductions or carpal tunnel surgery, I can make such a difference in my patients’ lives."

Hand surgery specialist

Dr. Sullivan was particularly drawn to hand surgery because it combines so many skills. "As a fellowship-trained hand surgeon, I can work on every element of the hand: bones, nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue," she says. "Many people think orthopedic surgeons are the only doctors who specialize in such work, but in fact, plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons learn all the same techniques during hand surgery training."

Using a variety of surgical techniques, Dr. Sullivan can reduce pain and improve grip and hand function. She treats patients with a variety of conditions and injuries, including:

• Abnormalities: Correcting deformities present from birth or those that developed from old injuries, such as stretched ligaments
• Arthritis: Fusing and replacing joints to reduce pain from arthritis and improve function
• Dupuytren's disease (Dupuytren’s contracture): Treating thickened tissue under the skin that causes the fingers to bend inward toward the palm
• Fractures: Repairing broken bones anywhere in the wrist or fingers and correcting problems from old fractures that healed incorrectly
• Nerve compression: Treating painful nerve conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome
• Soft tissue problems: Removing tumors, cysts or masses; treating burn scars; and repairing wounds and other soft-tissue problems that impair hand function
• Trigger finger: Treating tendon problems that cause fingers or thumbs to become locked in a bent position

From skin cancer to migraines: Wide-ranging plastic and reconstructive surgery expertise

Dr. Sullivan is also trained in a wide variety of plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques. She regularly performs procedures such as breast reductions and surgery to reconstruct wounds after injury or skin cancer surgery.

Dr. Sullivan also performs a specialized procedure to release pressure on nerves in the head that can contribute to migraines. "For some patients who haven’t gotten relief from migraine medications, this can be a life-changing procedure," Dr. Sullivan says.

No matter what type of surgery she’s doing, Dr. Sullivan focuses on developing relationships with patients to understand their concerns and goals. "I give every patient my full attention, regardless of the size and complexity of the problem," she says. "I want to really dive in to solve that problem and enhance my patients’ quality of life."

Background

Dr. Sullivan grew up in upstate New York and attended medical school at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Long Island, New York. She completed her general surgery residency at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt in New York City, followed by a plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Florida and a hand surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. She is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.

As a new mom, Dr. Sullivan stays busy with her family. When she has rare time for hobbies, she loves to move her body: "I do running, swimming and anything else that gets my endorphins going," she says. She and her husband are enjoying getting settled into the Norfolk community and love walking to the nearby beach.

Dr. Sullivan sees patients at the Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk. To schedule an appointment, call 757-507-0720.