Samuel Lance, M.D.
Dr. Lance at UC San Diego Health
Dr. Samuel Lance is a plastic surgeon who specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, with expertise in pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery. He is a member of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and an assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
In children, Dr. Lance treats complex craniofacial disorders (acquired or congenital abnormalities of the skull, face, neck, jaws and head), including vascular legions, craniosynostosis (early fusion of cranial sutures), frontonasal dysplasia, facial cleft, vascular malformation, and cleft lip and palate. He also performs pediatric breast reconstruction for asymmetry or breast reduction for abnormally large adolescent breasts and complex skin lesion management.
Dr. Lance is an accomplished author and has contributed book chapters on topics such as Asian cosmetic facial skeletal surgery, oncoplastic approach to early breast cancer in women with macromastia and unilateral and bilateral cleft lip repair. His research has been featured in peer-reviewed medical journals, including the Journal of Surgical Research, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. He also speaks at local, national and international conferences on topics including speech outcomes of single-stage vs. two-stage cleft palate repair, new approaches to resurfacing of total shoulder joint region and surgical treatment of craniofacial clefts.
Dr. Lance completed fellowship training in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and residency training in general surgery and plastic surgery at UC Davis School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is a member of several professional medical organizations, including the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association.
Additionally, Dr. Lance participates in medical mission organizations that bring surgical education to areas of South America and Central America via telemedicine conferences. He is a member of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a program that provides craniofacial surgical care to children from across the globe through the Fresh Start Clinic at Rady Children’s.