Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · San Diego
Christopher
M. Reid, MD
Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon committed to the most innovative techniques in microsurgical breast reconstruction, limb salvage, and oncologic reconstruction.
About
At the forefront of reconstructive surgery
Dr. Christopher M. Reid is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has devoted nearly two decades to UC San Diego — from medical school, through general surgery and plastic surgery residency, to a microsurgery fellowship at UCLA, and a full academic faculty career as Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery.
His clinical practice centers on microsurgical breast reconstruction using the most current and innovative techniques available — primarily the DIEP flap — along with limb salvage and complex oncologic reconstruction. He has trained generations of residents and medical students at UCSD and has authored over 87 peer-reviewed articles and numerous book chapters in leading plastic surgery publications.
Dr. Reid has pioneered the protocol for next-day discharge following free flap breast reconstruction — once considered impossible for microsurgical cases — and has led multicenter research establishing some of the lowest infection rates in implant-based breast reconstruction. He holds patents for novel surgical instruments, including a 3D-printed disposable microsurgical clamp and an automated tissue expander pump.
Beginning September 2026, Dr. Reid will be joining Scripps Clinic Medical Group, continuing his commitment to offering patients in San Diego access to the most advanced reconstructive options available anywhere.
Clinical Expertise
Areas of focus
Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Dr. Reid performs the most advanced autologous breast reconstruction available, primarily the DIEP flap — using a patient's own tissue to create a natural breast without sacrificing muscle. He also performs PAP flaps and other perforator-based techniques, always selecting the approach best matched to anatomy and goals.
Next-Day Discharge After Free Flap Surgery
Dr. Reid has pioneered and published the protocol for postoperative day 1 discharge after microsurgical free flap breast reconstruction — an outcome once considered unsafe. Through optimized anesthesia, pain control, and interdisciplinary recovery pathways, his published series demonstrates this is both safe and achievable.
Implant Reconstruction & Infection Prevention
Dr. Reid has led multicenter research developing infection prevention protocols that achieve some of the lowest rates published — including the PLATE technique, drain-free tissue expander reconstruction, and salvage of infected implants using negative pressure wound therapy with instillation.
Limb Salvage
Dr. Reid performs complex reconstructive surgery aimed at preserving limbs threatened by tumor, trauma, or vascular disease, drawing on the full microsurgical reconstructive toolkit including free tissue transfer, regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces, and local antibiotic delivery strategies.
Oncologic Reconstruction
Working closely with oncologic surgeons, Dr. Reid restores form and function after tumor resection using free tissue transfer and advanced techniques for defects of the breast, trunk, and extremities — including oncoplastic approaches such as the ICAP flap that expand the range of patients who can avoid mastectomy.
Selected Honors & Recognition
2025
Castle Connolly Top Doctor — Plastic Surgery
2025
Best Presentation — Plastic Surgery the Meeting 2025
2024
Castle Connolly Top Doctor — Plastic Surgery
2024
Best Oral Presentation — 74th Annual Meeting, California Society of Plastic Surgeons
2021
Teacher of the Year — UCSD Division of Plastic Surgery
2014–2018
Outstanding Clinical Research Award — UCSD Dept of Surgery (×4)
2014
AAS Outstanding Resident in Research Award in Education
2012–2014
ABSITE Score Award: 97th–99th National Percentile (×3)
Research & Publications
Selected publications
Dr. Reid has authored over 87 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, and has presented at leading national and international meetings. His work spans microsurgical outcomes, perioperative innovation, infection prevention, oncologic reconstruction, and healthcare systems research.
Microsurgical Recovery · 2025
Achieving Postoperative Day 1 Discharge After DIEP Flap: A Safe and Feasible Goal
Landmark single-institution study demonstrating that next-day discharge following DIEP free flap breast reconstruction is both safe and achievable with an optimized interdisciplinary recovery protocol.
Infection Prevention · 2025
PLATE: Prophylactic Local Antibiotics for Tissue Expansion Improve Breast Reconstruction Outcomes
Multicenter study of the PLATE technique demonstrating significantly improved infection outcomes in implant-based breast reconstruction and establishing a reproducible, evidence-based prevention protocol.
Implant Salvage · 2025
NPWTi-d for Salvage of Infected Breast Prostheses: A Multi-Center Study
The largest multicenter study evaluating negative pressure wound therapy with instillation for salvage of infected breast implants — demonstrating efficacy in avoiding explantation and preserving reconstruction.
Infection Prevention · 2025
Prophylactic Antibiotic-Loaded Cement for Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction
Multi-institutional review reporting an overall infection rate of 2.4% — among the lowest in the literature — providing a framework for routine prophylactic cement use in implant reconstruction.
Pain Management · 2025
Intrathecal Morphine vs. Paravertebral Nerve Blocks After Free Flap Breast Reconstruction
Prospective study comparing regional anesthesia strategies — directly informing the optimized pain control protocol that enables Dr. Reid's next-day discharge pathway.
Outcomes Research · 2026
Breast Implant Illness Symptoms: Implant-Based vs. Autologous vs. No Reconstruction
Large propensity-matched database study of over 8,000 patients showing autologous reconstruction carries the lowest long-term burden of breast implant illness-compatible symptoms.
Microsurgery · 2024
An Interdisciplinary Recovery Pathway Improves Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Delivery
The foundational paper describing the multidisciplinary ERAS pathway — the basis of Dr. Reid's postoperative recovery innovation demonstrating measurable improvements in length of stay and pain control.
Oncologic Reconstruction · 2024
Immediate and Delayed Flap Reconstruction Have Equivalent Outcomes After Soft Tissue Sarcoma Surgery
Multicenter study demonstrating equivalent outcomes regardless of reconstruction timing — with important implications for surgical planning in limb salvage.
Contact
Reach Dr. Reid
For appointment inquiries, referrals, or questions about the transition to Scripps Clinic, please reach out using the information below. Dr. Reid's team is happy to assist with scheduling and to support continuity of care.
For urgent medical concerns, please contact your nearest emergency department or call 911.