Alex K. Wong, MD, FACS

Physician - MD/DPM/DO
, Other, Plastic Surgery
Accepting new patients
Alex K. Wong's Background
Dr. Alex K. Wong is the Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, at City of Hope.

Dr. Wong's reconstructive practice is focused on microsurgical free tissue transfer for the management of complex radiated wounds, post-oncologic reconstruction, and lymphedema surgery.

Some of Dr. Wong's many qualifications include: Member of the Society of University Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and Plastic Surgery Research Council. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Wong has been named one of Pasadena Magazine's Top Doctors for every year since 2010, and is on the list of SuperDoctors/Los Angeles Magazine.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Wong directs a research laboratory with focus areas in lymphedema, adult-derived stem cells and novel biologics for wound healing, molecular pathogenesis of silicone breast implant capsular contracture, and microvascular flap physiology. Dr. Wong has received multiple grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, American Society for Maxillofacial Surgery, Wright Foundation, Whittier Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Southern California-Clinical Translational Science Institute (SC-CTSI). His work has been published in a variety of high impact peer reviewed journals.

Prior to joining the faculty at USC, Dr. Wong completed his Fellowship training at the NYU Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and completed his formal Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Wong received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and is an honors graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences of Cornell University.

About Wound Reference
WoundReference is the only decision support platform designed exclusively for wound care and hyperbaric oxygen clinicians. Our point-of-care tools enable clinicians to work more efficiently.

  • Patient Education - Radiation-induced cutaneous damage - Acute Effects
    Radiation-induced cutaneous damage (RICD) is a common side effect of radiation therapy. Initial skin changes caused by radiation (acute effects) are usually seen within 90 days from the day the patient receives radiotherapy. This evidence-based topic for patients and caregivers answers common questions related to acute effects of RICD. It can be printed at the point-of-care or digitally shared with patients.
  • Radiation-Induced Cutaneous Damage - Treatment, Prevention, Patient Education
    Radiation-induced cutaneous damage is a common sequela of radiation exposure. This topic describes management of acute and late effects of radiation
  • Radiation-induced Cutaneous Damage - Introduction and Assessment
    SUMMARY Radiation-induced cutaneous damage is a common sequela of radiation exposure, affecting up to 95 percent of patients who receive radiotherapy.(1–3) Skin damage can be either acute or chronic, based on the timing of presentation. Acute damage occurs within 90 days of exposure, and is dose dependent, ranging from transient erythema, to dry a
  • Patient Education - Radiation-induced cutaneous damage - Late Effects
    Summary Radiation-induced cutaneous damage (RICD) is a common side effect of radiation therapy that affects your skin. As much as 95 percent of all patients receiving radiation therapy will experience some form of RICD. (Bray et al. 2016). The initial skin changes (acute effects) caused by radiation usually heal after radiotherapy is completed, but the late skin changes (chronic effects) can develop mon
  • Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products
    Evidence-based topic on cellular and/or tissue products (also known as human skin equivalents, or skin substitutes) - clinical, coverage and reimbursement updates.
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Introduction and Assessment
    A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) can be defined as a full-thickness wound below the ankle, or as a lesion of the foot penetrating through the dermis, in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Treatment
    Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management with a concise algorithm which can be used at the point-of-care
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcer Associated with Ischemia - Management
    ABSTRACTVenous Leg Ulcers (VLU) are relatively common, affecting 1% of the population in the U.S.[1] VLU can be defined as an open skin lesion of the leg or foot t
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcer Associated with Infection - Management
    Topical agents, systemic antibiotics surgical interventions for diabetic foot ulcers soft tissue infection
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers - Classification Systems
    Diabetic Foot Ulcer Classifications - Wagner, University of Texas, WIfI, IDSA. Actionable tables with pictures and documentation tips for proper ICD-10 coding
  • How to Apply Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products
    Practical guidance with step-by-step pictures, protocol and tips on how to apply different types of cellular and/or tissue products (CTPs), also known as skin substitutes
  • Pressure Ulcers/Injuries - Classification/Staging
    This topic provides pictures and details on two of the most used classification systems for pressure ulcer/injury (PU/PI): the classification created by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) and the system adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • Pressure Ulcers/Injuries - Introduction and Assessment
    Framework for assessment of patients with pressure ulcers/injuries. Includes concise abstract, clinical pathway/algorithm for use at the point-of-care, and comprehensive resources on the condition (e.g. epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, pathophysiology, history, physical examination, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, documentation and ICD-10 coding)
  • Pressure Ulcers/Injuries - Treatment
    Pressure Ulcers/Injuries - evidence-based, always current review on management with a concise algorithm/pathway for use at the point-of-care
  • Pressure Ulcers/Injuries -Coordination of Care
    Coordination of care for prevention and management of pressure ulcers/injuries - problems and practical solutions
  • Pressure Ulcers/Injuries - Prevention
    Pressure ulcers/injuries (PUs/PIs) pose a large burden to affected individuals, caregivers and healthcare systems. As in any illness or injury, preventing PUs/PIs is better than treating them. This topic presents evidence-based interventions for prevention of PUs/PIs, with best practices and recommendations summarized in a concise table.
  • Lymphedema - Introduction and Assessment
    Evidence-based review on lymphedema. Framework for assessment of patients with lymphedema. Includes concise abstract and comprehensive resources on the condition (e.g. epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, pathophysiology, history, physical examination, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, documentation and ICD-10 coding)
  • Lymphedema - Treatment and Emerging Strategies for Prevention
    Evidence-based, always current review on lymphedema management with a concise algorithm/pathway for use at the point-of-care
  • Lymphedema - Surgical Management
    For well-selected patients with chronic lymphedema, surgical management offers a chance for reduction of limb volume, decreased episodes of infection and improved quality of life. This topic provides updates on recent surgical advancements, along with specific indications and guidance on preoperative evaluation.
  • Patient education - Lymphedema
    Topic on lymphedema and its complications for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared with patients and caregivers by email or print.
  • Lymphedema - Guidelines and Quality Measures
    Lymphedema overview: evidence-based clinical guidelines, quality measures and resources
  • Debridement
    Debridement is an important step in optimizing a wound or ulcer for functional healing. This evidence-based topic provides clinical, coverage and reimbursement updates on debridement methods in wound management (e.g., surgical, sharp conservative, mechanical, autolytic, enzymatic, larval, hydro-mechanical, etc). Includes indications, contraindications, GRADE recommendations, documentation guidance, links to Medicare coverage determinations by each Medicare Administrative Contractor.
  • How to Perform Conservative Sharp Wound Debridement
    This topic provides practical guidance on how to perform conservative sharp wound debridement, assess effectiveness, troubleshoot, code and document each procedure. See step-by-step protocols with pictures, video, checklists and documentation template.
  • Case: New Technique to Seal Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Exposed Dermis
    Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has the potential to expedite healing and may be applied in many clinical situations, but achieving and maintaining a reliable, occlusive seal is requisite to realize benefit and mitigate cost, regardless of NPWT type. This topic illustrates a new method to achieve effective seal of an open abdomen NPWT dressing on a highly exudative deepithelialized periwound lacking any dry tissue to apply adhesive drape.
  • Principles of Wound Healing
    Understanding how wound healing occurs or why the process is impaired is essential. This topic reviews principles of wound healing and provides an update on wounds from various perspectives - economic, physiological and pathological. It includes an overview of the different wound types (e.g. acute and chronic, partial and full-thickness, etc), wound healing phases, pathophysiology of chronic wounds, biofilm, and pathological scarring.
  • The Skin
    This topic provides a practical overview of the main cell types and structures of each layer, including stem cells, appendages and nerves and their role in wound healing.
  • Patient education - Lymphedema (Spanish)
    ¿QUÉ es la linfedema?La linfedema es la acumulación de líquido en partes de su cuerpo, debido a un problema con su sistema linfático. Si el sistema linfático está dañado o bloqueado, se acumulará líquido y causará hinchazón (Figura 1). El sistema linfático es una red de diminutos vasos que actúa como una esponja que extrae líquido de los tejidos y lo dirige de vuelta a la circulación. Si la "esponja" no funciona correctamente, se acumula líquido "impuro", su
  • Patient Education - Radiation-induced cutaneous damage - Acute Effects (Spanish)
      F<
  • Patient Education - Radiation-induced cutaneous damage - Late Effects (Spanish)
      F<
  • Lymphedema - Assessment and Management FAQ
    Wound Care Basics Series Part 1 Pressure Ulcers/Injuries
  • Surgical Wound Complications
    Abstract We will write the summary section once topic is completeINTRODUCTIONOverviewwerBackgroundDefinitions: what is a surgical woundRelevanceExplain the importance of this condition. What is the social, financial burden? Surgical wound healing process: primary (closed), secondary (open), tertiary intentionCDC surgical wound classification- clean, clean contaminated, contaminated,
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Prevention
    Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a chronic problem. Recurrence rates range from 8–59% however, up to 75% of DFUs may be preventable. Therefore, long-term maintenance must be addressed even for healed ulcers to prevent recurrence.
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