About

Andrew N Atia is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Duke University and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute. He is involved in the Integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency Program. His professional focus includes plastic, maxillofacial, and oral surgery, with an emphasis on plastic and reconstructive surgery. As a faculty member at Duke, he contributes to the department's mission of advancing surgical care, education, and research in his specialized field.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Computer Science
• Management
• Biology
• Cardiology
• Medical education
• World Wide Web
• Library science
• Business
• Radiology
• Internal medicine

Selected publications

• Innovative Approaches for Utilizing the Fibula Flap Skin Paddle in the Presence of Alternate Vessel Anatomy—A Report of Three Clinical Cases

  Microsurgery · 2026-04-13

  articleOpen access1st author

  The fibula free flap is a versatile option for reconstructing complex defects, particularly in the head and neck region. However, variations in the vascular anatomy of the skin paddle can pose challenges during flap harvest and inset. We identified three clinical cases of patients who were found to have alternative or aberrant vessel anatomy to the fibula skin paddle. Operative notes and photo documentation were used to determine variations in vessel anatomy to the fibula skin paddle. A total of three cases were identified in which alternative or aberrant vessel anatomy was noted to the fibula skin paddle. Variations identified included skin paddle perfusion via a perforating branch of the posterior tibial artery, a perforating branch of the tibioperoneal trunk, and absence of distal perfusion requiring use of a proximal peroneal artery perforator. There were no cases of partial or total flap loss or incidences of reoperation. These findings illustrate that awareness of potential vascular variations and management strategies, such as identifying alternative vascular sources and utilizing flow-through flaps or freestyle perforator flaps, can help to successfully harvest and inset the fibula skin paddle in the presence of alternate vessel anatomy. An alternate donor site may be necessary when no suitable perforators are identified.

  PublisherDOI

• “Verifying Predictive Models for Determining Final Implant Volume in Two-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction”

  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · 2025-10-30

  article

  BACKGROUND: Most breast reconstructions following mastectomy utilize a two-stage tissue expander (TE) to implant approach. Prior studies on prepectoral and subpectoral breast reconstructions have identified formulas for predicting final implant size using TE size and final fill. The aim of this study is to test the accuracy of these models. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients that underwent two-stage TE to implant breast reconstruction within the Duke University Health System between 2021 and 2024 was performed. Demographic, oncologic, and reconstructive data were collected. The equations 26.6 + 0.38*(TE final fill) + 0.61*(TE size) for prepectoral and 71.7 + 0.8*(TE final fill) + 0.1*(TE size) for subpectoral reconstructions were used to calculate predicted implant sizes, which were then compared to actual implant sizes. RESULTS: 70 prepectoral patients (117 breasts) and 39 subpectoral patients (67 breasts) met criteria for inclusion. All patients had at least 5 months of postoperative follow-up. The mean predicted implant size was 23cc less than the mean actual size (477 vs. 500cc). The root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) for prepectoral and subpectoral reconstructions were 73.6 and 54.9cc, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In general, both models underpredicted final implant size. Depending on the implant profile, a 55-75cc difference equates to the models being accurate within 3-4 sizes for prepectoral and 2-3 sizes for subpectoral reconstructions, suggesting their potential use as a starting point to guide surgeon decision-making. Being able to predict final implant size more accurately will optimize surgical planning, decrease the number of implants ordered for each case, and reduce costs.

  PublisherDOI

• Synchronous Abdominal Wall and Small Bowel Transplantation: Critical Insights at 4-Year Follow-up

  Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery Open · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract This 4-year follow-up of synchronous abdominal wall vascular composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) and small bowel transplantation reveals novel insights and innovations in abdominal wall VCA. The case, involving a 37-year-old male Army veteran, showcases the benefits of AW-VCA in addressing loss of abdominal domain in intestinal transplantation (ITx). The events leading to ultimate rejection of both the AW-VCA and small bowel graft at 4 years highlights the complex interplay between graft survival, patient compliance, and immunosuppressive management. Notably, a significant discordance between AW-VCA and ITx rejection patterns was identified, questioning the reliability of skin components in AW-VCA as early indicators of ITx rejection. Furthermore, the behavior of the vascularized abdominal fascia, observed postexcision of the small bowel graft, offers new understanding of the immunologic response to fascia-only grafts. This follow-up emphasizes the complexities of graft survival, patient compliance, and immunosuppressive management, underscoring the need for ongoing research and innovation in the field.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Anterolateral Thigh Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction

  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America · 2024-08-13 · 11 citations

  reviewOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Predicting Final Implant Volume in Two-Stage Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction

  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open · 2023-03-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Introduction: Two-stage implant based breast reconstruction remains the most commonly performed post-mastectomy reconstruction. While prior studies have explored the relationship between tissue expander (TE) features and permanent implant (PI) size in subpectoral reconstruction, recent trends have demonstrated a shift towards prepectoral implant placement with acellular dermal matrix (ADM). This study aims to identify pertinent TE characteristics and evaluate their correlations with PI size for prepectoral implant-based reconstructions. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed patients who underwent two-stage prepectoral tissue expansion for breast reconstruction followed by implant placement at single institution. Exclusion criteria were delayed, autologous, and direct-to-implant breast reconstruction patients. Clinical and demographic patient data were collected for the cohort. TE and PI features were recorded, along with mean TE size, PI size, and mean mastectomy weights. Significant predictors for PI volume were identified with regression analysis. Results: We identified 177 patients and 296 breast reconstructions that met the inclusion criteria. Multivariate analysis identified significant variables for PI size prediction, including mastectomy weight (R2=0.42; p<0.0001), TE size (R2=0.60; p<0.0001), and TE final fill (R2=0.57; p<0.0001). The prediction expression was calculated to model the correlation: PI size = 26.6 + 0.38*(TE final fill) + 0.61*(TE size). Conclusion: Tissue expander size, final expansion volume, and mastectomy weight were significant variables for implant size prediction. The formula yielded significant regression coefficient values for TE size and final fill. With prepectoral implant placement gaining popularity, this algorithm may help optimize preoperative planning for prepectoral reconstructions.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 15625: Left Atrial Appendage Volumetric and Functional Assessment Using Cardiac CT-Derived Three-Dimensional Models

  Circulation · 2023-11-07

  article

  Introduction: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most common site of thrombus formation in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who develop strokes, yet its dynamic volumetric parameters remain uncharacterized. We present a quantitative analysis of cardiac phase-specific LAA volumes and function using cardiac CT-derived three-dimensional (3D) models of 920 LAA segmentations. Methods: We measured LAA volumes at 10% increments of the cardiac cycle (R-R interval) in patients with AF and controls with sinus rhythm (SR). After identifying the LAA orifice using anatomical landmarks on multiplanar CT images, we performed computational LAA segmentation using specialized software. For precise mapping, we used iterative active region-growing and cutting tools to separate the LAA from surrounding structures. We used the resulting 3D model for volumetric assessment of the LAA during the cardiac cycle. Results: We analysed 580 LAA segmentations in patients with AF and 340 segmentations in patients with SR. Both groups displayed LAA volume increase from 0 to 40% of the cardiac cycle followed by a gradual decrease during diastole. LAA volumes were significantly higher in AF at 0%, 10%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of the cardiac cycle (p =0.01, 0.021, 0.047, 0.025 and 0.011, respectively). LAA volumetric variance within the AF group was significantly greater (p&lt;0.001). LAA ejection fraction was significantly lower in AF compared to SR (40.8±16.1% vs 49.7±12.6%, p=0.003). Polynomial plots of incremental volume changes showed an accelerated rate of LAA filling in early systole in the SR, which was significantly dampened in AF. Conclusions: We present the first comparative analysis of LAA volumetric and functional assessment in patients with AF and SR. We conclude that impaired LAA filling and emptying in AF can contribute to blood stasis and thrombogenicity. Further investigations into the utility of LAA metrics as prognostic and risk-stratification tools in patients with AF are warranted.

  PublisherDOI

• Consequences and Predictors of Prolonged Tissue Expander Duration in Breast Reconstruction

  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open · 2023-03-01

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Tissue expanders (TEs) are temporary devices used in breast reconstruction, which are generally removed within one year. There is a paucity of data regarding the potential consequences when TE’s have longer indwelling times. Thus, we aim to determine whether prolonged TE implantation length is associated with TE-related complications. Materials and Methods: This is a single center retrospective review of patients who underwent tissue expander placement for breast reconstruction from 2015-2021. Complications were compared between patients who had a TE for > 1 year and < 1 year. Univariate and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate predictors of TE complications. Result: A total of 582 patients underwent TE placement and 12.2% had the expander for > 1 year. Adjuvant chemoradiation, BMI, overall stage, and diabetes predicted the duration of TE placement (p ≤ 0.006). Return to the OR rate was higher in patients who had TEs in place > 1 year (22.5% vs 6.1%, p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, prolonged TE duration was the only factor that predicted an infection requiring antibiotics, readmission, and re-operation (p < 0.001). Reasons for longer indwelling times included need for additional chemoradiation (79.4%), TE infections (12.7%), and requesting a break from surgery (6.3%). Conclusion: Indwelling TEs for > 1 year are associated with higher rates of infection, readmission, and re-operation even when controlling for adjuvant chemoradiation. Patients with diabetes, a higher BMI, advanced cancer stage, and those requiring adjuvant chemoradiation should be advised they may require a TE for a longer time-interval prior to final reconstruction.

  PublisherDOI

• Abdominal Wall Transplantation

  2023-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Twenty Years of Abdominal Wall Allotransplantation: A Systematic Review of the Short- and Long-Term Outcomes

  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · 2023-05-24 · 1 citations

  reviewSenior author

  Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Duke University Health Financial Disclosure Statement: The authors have no financial conflicts to disclose Corresponding author: Detlev Erdmann MD, PhD, MHSc Professor Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Duke Health, DUMC Box 3181 Durham, NC 27710 (USA) [email protected]

  PublisherDOI

• Left Atrial Appendage Volumetric and Functional Assessment Using Cardiac Computed Tomography-Derived Three-Dimensional Models

  The American Journal of Cardiology · 2023-08-26

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Andrew Hollins

  Duke University

  59 shared

• Ronnie L. Shammas

  Duke University

  54 shared

• Amanda R. Sergesketter

  Duke Medical Center

  45 shared

• Scott T. Hollenbeck

  Duke Medical Center

  38 shared

• Adam D. Glener

  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  36 shared

• Roger W. Cason

  Duke Medical Center

  32 shared

• Brett T. Phillips

  Duke Medical Center

  27 shared

• Hannah C. Langdell

  19 shared