Joseph J. Disa, MD, FACS
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
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Areas of Expertise
My Specialties
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Breast and Facial Reconstruction
About Me
- Vice Chair of Clinical Activities, Department of Surgery
- Benno C. Schmidt Chair in Surgical Oncology
I am a plastic surgeon specializing in the reconstruction of areas of the body after surgery to remove a tumor. While this includes all types of surgical reconstruction, I have a specific interest in reconstruction of the breast and of the head and neck. Reconstruction helps to restore form, function, and appearance while enhancing a patient’s self-confidence and self-image after cancer surgery.
In my practice, I use state-of-the-art techniques to perform reconstruction, including the use of perforator flaps, such as the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP). These strategies achieve patients’ reconstructive goals while simplifying recovery.
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My research is focused on improving surgical reconstruction of the breast, including the impact of radiation therapy on breast reconstruction, the role of acellular human dermis and breast reconstruction, and the outcomes of subpectoral vs. pre pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction. I am also involved in teaching the latest approaches for surgical reconstruction after cancer surgery to medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians from around the world.
I currently serve as the breast section editor on the board of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and have co-edited the textbooks Plastic Surgery: Indications and Practice and Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery. In addition, I have co-authored the patient education book 100 Questions & Answers about Breast Surgery.
A plastic and reconstructive surgeon is a doctor with special training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. These procedures restore function and appearance.
My Specialties
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Breast and Facial Reconstruction
Education
- MD, University of Massachustts Medical School
Residencies
- General Surgery - University of Maryland Medical System
- Plastic Surgery - Johns Hopkins Hospital
Awards and Honors
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors (2023)
- Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2011-2020)
Fellowships
- Reconstructive Microsurgery/Plastic Surgery - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Board Certifications
- Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
Insurance Information
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PPO, HMO
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HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
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EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
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EPO
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Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
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State Government
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Contact and Location
Dr. Disa sees patients at three locations.
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Books
100 Questions and Answers About Breast Surgery. Disa JJ, Czenko Keuchel, M. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett; 2006.
Plastic Surgery: Indications and Practice. Guyuron B, Eriksson E, Persing J, Gosain A, Chung K, Disa J, Gosain A, Kinney B, Rubin P. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2008.
Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery, Trunk Reconstruction and Body Contouring. Disa JJ, Chung Kevin C. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 2019.
Book Chapters
“Muscle-sparing and free TRAM flap breast reconstruction.” Disa JJ, Pusic AL, Zhong T. In: Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast. Hall-Findlay EJ, Evans G, eds. St. Louis: Saunders; 2010: 93.
“Mandibular reconstruction.” Disa JJ. In: Current Reconstructive Surgery. Serletti JM, Taub PJ, Wu LC, Slutsky DJ, eds. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013: 445-455.
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“Latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction.” McCarthy CM, Disa JJ. In: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery. Evans GRD, Nahabedian MY, eds. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2009.
“Breast reconstruction: implant and nipple reconstruction.” Disa JJ, McCarthy CM. In: Principles of Cancer Reconstructive Surgery. Butler CE, Fine NA, eds. New York: Springer; 2008.
“Principles of breast reconstruction.” McCarthy CM, Disa JJ. In: Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. Stubblefield M,O’Dell M, Custodio C, Fitzpatrick T, eds. New York: Demos; 2007: 115.
“Mandible reconstruction.” Disa JJ, Hidalgo, AD. In: Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery. 6th ed. Thorne CH, Bartlett SP, Aston SJ, et al., eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007: 428-437.
“Breast reconstruction: a comparison of autogenous and prosthetic techniques.” Disa JJ, McCarthy, CM. In: Advances in Surgery. Cameron J, ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science; 2005: 39:97.
“Rehabilitation after treatment for cancer of the breast.” Disa JJ, Petrek JA. In: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Devita VT, Helmman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2005: 1478.
“Breast reconstruction: prosthetic techniques.” Disa JJ. In: Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery. 6th ed. Thorne CH, Bartlett SP, Aston SJ, et al., eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
“Free flap reconstruction.” Mastorakos DP, Disa JJ. In: Revision Surgery in Otolaryngology. Edelstein DR, ed. New York: Thieme; 2009: 235-46.
“Muscle-Sparing and Free TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction.” Disa JJ, Pusic AL, Zhong T. In: Hall-Findlay EJ, Evans G, eds. Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast, Britain: Saunders Elsevier 2010; 93. 2010.
“Mandibular Reconstruction.” Disa JJ. In: Current Reconstruction Surgery: Serliti JM, Taub PJ, WU LC, Slufsky DJ. McGraw-Hill: New York. 2013p;445-455. 2013.
“Breast Reconstruction- Current Perspectives and State of the Art.” Disa JJ, Weichman KE. In: Tech, book edited by Aldona J Spiegel. Published July 31, 2013 ISBN 978-953-51-1181, under CC by 3.0 license. 2013.
“Reconstruction, Lentigo Maligna Melanoma.” Cohen LE, Connolly KL, Disa JJ. Springer International Publishing. Switzerland 2017. 123-135 doi:20.2007/978-3-319-43787-3_10.
“Principles of Breast Reconstruction in Cancer.” Disa JJ. Nelson JA, Kuo TT, McCarthy CM. In: Second Edition. Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. Springer Publishing Company. New York 2019; 71-79. 2019.
Selected Publications
Cohen LE, Bogue JT, Jin J, Disa JJ. Explantation in Tissue Expander and Direct-to-Implant Reconstruction with Acellular Dermal Matrix: How to Avoid Early Reconstructive Failures. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2021 Apr 1;147(4):579e-586e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007702. PMID: 33710042.
Dabic S, McCarthy CM, Matros E, Disa JJ, Mehrara BJ, Nelson JA. 26 Years of Textured Implants and BIA-ALCL: Continued Vigilance and Counseling Are Warranted. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2021 Sep 1;148(3):517e-518e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008270. PMID: 34346912.
Vorstenbosch J, McCarthy CM, Shamsunder MG, Polanco TO, Dabic S, Wiser I, Matros E, Dayan J, Disa JJ, Pusic AL, Cavalli MR, Encarnacion E, Lee M, Mehrara BJ, Nelson JA. Smooth versus Textured Implant Breast Reconstruction: Patient-Reported Outcomes and Complications. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2021 Nov 1;148(5):959-967. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008411. PMID: 34705770.
Coldwell A, Disa JJ. Breast Reconstruction Awareness 2021: Impactful Recent Literature. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2021 Oct. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008626.
Coriddi M, Myers P, Mehrara B, Nelson J, Cordeiro PG, Disa J, Matros E, Dayan J, Allen R, McCarthy C. Management of postoperative microvascular compromise and ischemia reperfusion injury in breast reconstruction using autologous tissue transfer: Retrospective review of 2103 flaps. Journal of Microsurgery. 2021 Dec 2. DOI: 10.1002/micr.30845. PMID: 34854501.
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Disa’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Joseph J. Disa discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
No disclosures meeting criteria for time period
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This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
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