Bruce S. Bauer, MD, FACS, FAAP, is a highly regarded surgeon who treats a full spectrum of pediatric plastic surgeries, including cleft lip and palate, craniofacial deformities, congenital and acquired ear deformities and birthmark reconstruction. Dr. Bauer is also an expert in using pediatric tissue expansions (a technique that creates new skin to repair or replace skin elsewhere in the body) to treat large and giant melanocytic nevi and other congenital and acquired deformities.
Dr. Bauer’s long-time dedication to the pediatric plastic surgery and his commitment to high-quality care propelled him to develop specialized reconstructive techniques for complex conditions that have led to referrals from patients nationally and internationally. Examples include designing expanded skin flaps that allow the treatment of larger nevi, in fewer surgeries, with improved functional and aesthetic outcomes and advanced the understanding and approach to reconstruction of complex congenital and acquired ear deformities. Further, by teaming with pediatric dermatologists, he was able to widen the application of these techniques to problematic skin lesions and led to the adoption of pediatric tissue expansion around the world.
In addition to Dr. Bauer’s devotion to his clinical work, he is an active researcher who has published numerous papers and chapters related to his field as well as co-edited and contributed extensively to two editions of “Principles and Practice of Pediatric Plastic Surgery.” Dr. Bauer has also collaborated closely with several colleagues on research efforts to characterize the growth of melanocytic nevi, mutations associated with their formation and understand their relation to nevus cells in the central nervous system.
Areas of Expertise
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Cleft Lip and Palate
- Treatment of Large and Giant Nevi and Cutaneous Reconstructions with Pediatric Tissue Expansion
- Reconstruction of Congenital and Acquired Ear Deformities
Board Certifications
- Plastic Surgery
Memberships & Medical Societies
- Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
- American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons
Practicing Since
- 1979
Languages Spoken
- English
Medical Education
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Internship
- Northwestern Medicine
Residency
- Northwestern Medicine
News & Research
View Published Papers- Aetna HMO (specialists only)
- Aetna POS
- Aetna PPO
- BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)
- BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)
- BCBS PPO
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna POS
- Cigna PPO
- CountyCare *see insurance page
- Aetna Better Health *see insurance page
- Medicare
- Multiplan PPO
- PHCS PPO
- United Choice Plus POS/PPO
- United Options (PPO)
- United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)
- United W500 Emergent Wrap
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
- BCBS Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Choice PFFS
- Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus HMO
- United Choice HMO (specialists only)
- University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)
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