J. Grant Thomson, MD, FACS, MSc
Biography
James Grant Thomson, MD, director of Yale Medicine Hand & Microsurgery, is a plastic surgeon who specializes in repairing the arms, hands and wrists for adults and children. He also performs surgeries for people whose bodies have been changed by cancer treatment.
Dr. Thomson is skilled in microsurgery—delicate operations performed under magnification using small, specialized instruments. But he says one of the most important advances in hand surgery is the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome using endoscopic surgery. This surgery involves making a small incision or two in the skin of the wrist, inserting a thin tube with a tiny camera and instruments at the tip, and using the tool to cut the ligament that’s causing the symptoms. “We can perform a short operation, and their symptoms go away immediately. People can get back to using their hands,” Dr. Thomson says.
“There’s a lot of artistry to what plastic surgeons do,” says Dr. Thomson, who is a professor of plastic surgery at Yale School of Medicine. In recent years, he points out, science has been providing more evidence-based approaches. “So we are also innovators and problem solvers,” he says. Through his research, Dr. Thomson has been improving techniques in microsurgery and tendon repair, among other areas.
“Our patients are always challenging us to come up with the best solutions,” he says. “Our medical residents and medical students are challenging us to be on the cutting edge in everything we do. That’s what makes it exciting to be here.”
A physics major in college, Dr. Thomson chose to go into medicine after deciding it was the best way to combine his passion for science with his interest in helping people. He is the founder of a non-profit program called Hand Help, and he has been leading teams of medical professionals on volunteer surgical expeditions to Latin America since 1998. His teams have made a difference in the lives of more than 800 people in developing countries.
Titles
- Professor of Surgery (Plastic)
- Director, Yale Hand & Microsurgery Program
Education & Training
- FellowWashington University/Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO (1991)
- ResidentMcGill University/Montreal General Hospital, Canada (1990)
- ResidentMontreal General Hospital, Canada (1988)
- MScMc Gill University, Experimental Surgery (1988)
- Research FellowRoyal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada (1985)
- MDMcGill University (1983)
Languages Spoken
- English
- French
Additional Information
- Best Doctors in America: Castle Connolly (2003), (2004), (2005), (2006), (2007), (2008), (2009), (2010), (2011), (2012), (2013), (2014), (2015), (2016)
- Resident Award for Distinguished Teaching: Yale Plastic Surgery (1999), (2003), (2013)
- AB of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery (2015)
- AB of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery (1995)
- Xiangya Medicine (2016 - Present): Editorial Board
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons (2014 - 2015): Chair, Research and Education Committee
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2011 - 2015): Editor, Hand and Peripheral Nerve Section
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons (2011 - 2012): Acting Chair, Research and Education Committee
- Hand Help, Inc (2006 - Present): President and founder. This organization provides free volunteer hand surgery in developing nations.
- Boskovski MT, Thomson JG. Carpal tunnel syndrome, syndrome of partial thenar atrophy, and W. Russell Brain: a historical perspective. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 2014, 39:1822-1829.e1.
- Boskovski MT, Thomson JG. Acroparesthesia and carpal tunnel syndrome: a historical perspective. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 2014, 39:1813-1821.e1.
- Song JW, Ersahin D, Much MA, Thomson JG, Smitaman E. An exceptional case of xanthomatous infiltration of the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems. Skeletal Radiology 2015, 44:1181-7.
- Broer PN, Juran S, Walker ME, Ng R, Weichman K, Tanna N, Liu YJ, Shah A, Patel A, Persing JA, Thomson JG. Aesthetic breast shape preferences among plastic surgeons. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 2015, 74:639-44.
- Thomson JG, Kerrigan CL. Fasciocutaneous flaps: an experimental model in the pig. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1989, 83:110-7.
- Thomson JG, Kerrigan CL. Dermofluorometry: thresholds for predicting flap survival. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1989, 83:859-64; discussion 865.
- Thomson JG, Kerrigan CL, Abrahamowicz M. Effects of sodium pentobarbital anesthesia on blood flow in skin, myocutaneous, and fasciocutaneous flaps in swine. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1991, 88:269-74.
- Thomson JG, Kerrigan CL. Hydrogen clearance: assessment of technique for measurement of skin-flap blood flow in pigs. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1991, 88:657-63.
- Thomson JG, Restifo RJ. Microsurgery for cranial base tumors. Clinics In Plastic Surgery 1995, 22:563-72.
- Ross DA, Thomson JG, Restifo R, Tarro JM, Sasaki CT. The extended lateral arm free flap for head and neck reconstruction: the Yale experience. The Laryngoscope 1996, 106:14-8.
- Syed SA, Zahir KS, Zink JR, Saglaam O, Restifo RJ, Thomson JG. Distal dorsal forearm flap. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1997, 38:396-403.
- Turowski GA, Zdankiewicz PD, Thomson JG. The results of surgical treatment of trigger finger. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 1997, 22:145-9.
- Restifo RJ, Ahmed SS, Isenberg JS, Thomson JG. Timing, magnitude, and utility of surgical delay in the TRAM flap: I. Animal studies. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1997, 99:1211-6.
- Zink JR, Syed SA, Zahir K, Thomson JG, Restifo R. Transferring vascular territories from one axial pattern flap to another: a comparison of delay procedures. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1997, 38:385-7.
- Turowski GA, Amjadi N, Sterling A, Thomson JG. Aneurysm of the radial artery following blunt trauma to the wrist. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1997, 38:527-30.
- Ahmed SS, Pierce J, Reid M, Thomson JG, Restifo RJ. A new experimental model: the vascular pedicled cutaneous flap over the mid-dorsum of the rat. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1997, 39:495-9.
- Zahir KS, Syed SA, Zink JR, Restifo RJ, Thomson JG. Ischemic preconditioning improves the survival of skin and myocutaneous flaps in a rat model. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1998, 102:140-50; discussion 151-2.
- Otake LR, Thomson JG, Persing JA, Merrell RC. Telemedicine: low-bandwidth applications for intermittent health services in remote areas. JAMA 1998, 280:1305-6.
- Zahir KS, Quin JA, Brown W, Thomson JG, Dudrick SJ. Trends in the incidence of upper extremity soft tissue malignancies: a 40-year review of the Connecticut State Tumor Registry. Connecticut Medicine 1998, 62:9-14.
- Zahir KS, Syed SA, Zink JR, Restifo RJ, Thomson JG. Comparison of the effects of ischemic preconditioning and surgical delay on pedicled musculocutaneous flap survival in a rat model. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1998, 40:422-8; discussion 428-9.
- Zahir TM, Zahir KS, Syed SA, Restifo RJ, Thomson JG. Ischemic preconditioning of musculocutaneous flaps: effects of ischemia cycle length and number of cycles. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1998, 40:430-5.
- Thomson JG, Kim JH, Syed SA, Reid MA, Madsen J, Restifo RJ. The effect of prolonged clamping and vascular stasis on the patency of arterial and venous microanastomoses. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1998, 40:436-41.
- Restifo RJ, Ahmed SS, Rosser J, Zahir K, Zink J, Lalikos JA, Thomson JG. TRAM flap perforator ligation and the delay phenomenon: development of an endoscopic/laparoscopic delay procedure. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1998, 101:1503-11.
- Restifo RJ, Thomson JG. The preconditioned TRAM flap: preliminary clinical experience. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1998, 41:343-7.
- Pu LL, Syed SA, Reid M, Patwa H, Goldstein JM, Forman DL, Thomson JG. Effects of nerve growth factor on nerve regeneration through a vein graft across a gap. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 1999, 104:1379-85.
- Ta KT, Eidelman D, Thomson JG. Patient satisfaction and outcomes of surgery for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 1999, 24:1071-7.
- Pu LL, Ahmed S, Thomson JG, Reid MA, Madsen JA, Restifo RJ. Endothelial cell growth factor enhances musculocutaneous flap survival through the process of neovascularization. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 1999, 42:306-12.
- Hendrix CL, Thomson JG, Blume PA. Pedal macrodactyly: coverage of a large defect with a rectus abdominus free flap. The Journal Of Foot And Ankle Surgery : Official Publication Of The American College Of Foot And Ankle Surgeons 2000, 39:184-8.
- Pu LL, Thomson JG. Salvage of the exposed irradiated knee joint with free tissue transfer. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 2000, 44:334-9.
- White RI, Pollak J, Persing J, Henderson KJ, Thomson JG, Burdge CM. Long-term outcome of embolotherapy and surgery for high-flow extremity arteriovenous malformations. Journal Of Vascular And Interventional Radiology : JVIR 2000, 11:1285-95.
- Chao RP, Braün SA, Ta KT, Palesty JA, Mine R, Syed SA, Chang DJ, Thomson JG. Early passive mobilization after digital nerve repair and grafting in a fresh cadaver. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2001, 108:386-91.
- Pan D, Watson HK, Swigart C, Thomson JG, Honig SC, Narayan D. Microarray gene analysis and expression profiles of Dupuytren's contracture. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 2003, 50:618-22.
- Hsia HC, Thomson JG. Differences in breast shape preferences between plastic surgeons and patients seeking breast augmentation. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2003, 112:312-20; discussion 321-2.
- Braün SA, Mine R, Syed SA, Ta KT, Chao RP, Ciesielski TE, Perez-Morel A, Thomson JG. The optimal sequence of microvascular repair during prolonged clamping in free flap transfer. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2003, 111:233-41.
- Jae Lee C, Hee Whang J, Lazova R, Ciesielski TE, Thomson JG, McCarthy T, Persing JA. Growth factor expression with different wound treatments after laser resurfacing. Aesthetic Surgery Journal / The American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2007, 27:55-64.
- Nishihori T, Choi J, DiGiovanna MP, Thomson JG, Kohler PC, McGurn J, Chung GG. Carpal tunnel syndrome associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer. Clinical Breast Cancer 2008, 8:362-5.
- Lee CJ, Park JH, Ciesielski TE, Thomson JG, Persing JA. Retinoids, 585-nm laser, and carbon dioxide laser: a numeric comparison of neocollagen formation in photoaged hairless mouse skin. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2008, 32:894-901.
- Thomson JG, Liu YJ, Restifo RJ, Rinker BD, Reis A. Surface area measurement of the female breast: phase I. Validation of a novel optical technique. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2009, 123:1588-1596.
- Thomson JG, Mine R, Shah A, Palesty JA, Yaghjyan G, Ahmed S, Braün SA, Chao RP. The effect of core temperature on the success of free tissue transfer. Journal Of Reconstructive Microsurgery 2009, 25:411-6.
- Shah AA, Arias JE, Thomson JG. The effect of ischemic preconditioning on secondary ischemia in myocutaneous flaps. Journal Of Reconstructive Microsurgery 2009, 25:527-31.
- Colebunders B, Matthew MK, Thomson JG. The use of a surgical glove in microsurgical training: a new point of view. Microsurgery 2010, 30:505-6.
- Chin SH, Tom LK, Thomson JG. Does the severity of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome influence the timing of staged bilateral release? Annals Of Plastic Surgery 2011, 67:30-3.
- Liu YJ, Hirsch BP, Shah AA, Reid MA, Thomson JG. Mild intraoperative hypothermia reduces free tissue transfer thrombosis. Journal Of Reconstructive Microsurgery 2011, 27:121-6.
- Liu YJ, Thomson JG. Ideal anthropomorphic values of the female breast: correlation of pluralistic aesthetic evaluations with objective measurements. Annals Of Plastic Surgery 2011, 67:7-11.
- Buonocore S, Sawh-Martinez R, Emerson JW, Mohan P, Dymarczyk M, Thomson JG. The effects of edema and self-adherent wrap on the work of flexion in a cadaveric hand. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 2012, 37:1349-55.
- Buonocore SD, Broer PN, Kaldany A, Sawh-Martinez R, Thomson JG. The effects of A1 pulley release after flexor tendon repair in a cadaveric model. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2012, 130:857-864.
- Walker ME, Zhu VZ, Webb ML, Sturrock T, Ng R, Thomson JG, Broer PN, Kwei SL. Abstract 142: Prevention of Seroma and Post-operative Wound Complications Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Devices Following Panniculectomy in Massive Weight-Loss Patients. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2014, 133:158.
- Singh D, Forte AJ, Zahiri HR, Janes LE, Sabino J, Matthews JA, Bell RL, Thomson JG. Prognostication for body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery. Eplasty 2012, 12:e46.
- Tadisina KK, Chopra K, Tangredi J, Thomson JG, Singh DP. Helping hands: a cost-effectiveness study of a humanitarian hand surgery mission. Plastic Surgery International 2014, 2014:921625.
- Singh D, Zahiri HR, Janes LE, Sabino J, Matthews JA, Bell RL, Thomson JG. Mental and physical impact of body contouring procedures on post-bariatric surgery patients. Eplasty 2012, 12:e47.
- Berlin NL, Tuggle CT, Thomson JG, Au A. Digit replantation in children: a nationwide analysis of outcomes and trends of 455 pediatric patients. Hand (New York, N.Y.) 2014, 9:244-52.
- Shah A, Martin G, Thomson JG. A novel use for suture button suspension: reconstruction of the dorsal ulnar ligament to treat thumb metacarpal dislocation. Case Reports In Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery 2015, 2:7-11.
- Liu KJ, Thomson JG. Experimental model of trigger finger through A1 pulley constriction in a human cadaveric hand: a pilot study. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 2013, 38:1933-40.
- Samra S, Bourne D, Beckett J, Matthew M, Thomson JG. Decision-making and Management of Ulnar Polydactyly of the Newborn: Outcomes and Satisfaction. The Journal Of Hand Surgery Asian-Pacific Volume 2016, 21:313-20.
- Thomson JG. Diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Lancet. Neurology 2017, 16:263.
- Chuang C, Azurdia J, Asuzu D, Ragins KT, Tomany K, Islam S, Williams S, Safanda J, Thomson JG. Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes of a Hand Surgery Mission to Honduras. Hand (New York, N.Y.) 2018, 13:305-312.
- Walker ME, Tsay C, Broer PN, Zhu VZ, Sturrock T, Ng R, Scoutt LM, Thomson JG, Kwei SL. A prospective, randomized-controlled pilot study comparing closed suction versus negative pressure drains for panniculectomy patients. Journal Of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS 2018, 71:438-439.
- Sayadi LR, Shah A, Chopan M, Thomson JG. Axillary artery pseudoaneurysm and distal ulnar embolization in collegiate pitcher: a case report and review. Case Reports In Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery 2018, 5:27-30.
- Yale Physicians Building800 Howard Avenue, Ste 4th FloorNew Haven, CT, 06519