James Thornton, M.D.

Director, Facial Reconstruction, Dept. of Plastic Surgery

Professor

Endowed Title: Ellen L. Heck Chair in Tissue Transplantation
School: Medical School
Department: Plastic Surgery

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For more information on the doctor and patient care, please visit the clinical profile.

Biography

James F. Thornton, M.D., F.A.C.S., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Thornton received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas where he also completed a five-year residency in General Surgery. Upon completing his General Surgery Residency, Dr. Thornton accepted a Fellowship with a specialty in plastic and reconstructive surgery under the guidance of Dr. John Bostwick at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. While attending Emory University´s Fellowship, Dr. Thornton had a training emphasis on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast. Dr. Thornton is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is an active member of the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS). He lectures locally and nationally about plastic and reconstructive surgery and is listed as one of Redbook´s top doctors in breast reconstruction. Dr. Thornton´s special interests include Moh’s reconstruction, reconstructive breast surgery, head and neck reconstruction, upper and lower extremity reconstruction and abdominal wall reconstruction. Dr. Thornton lives in Dallas, is married and has five children.

Education

Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical School (1989)
Internship: Parkland Health and Hospital System (1990), Surgery
Residency: Parkland Health and Hospital System (1997), General Surgery
Residency: Emory University Hospital (1999), Plastic Surgery

Research Interest

Biologic Agents Used in Skin and Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Reconstruction after Mohs Cancer Excision

Publications

Featured Publications

The rationale for direct linear closure of facial Mohs' defects.: Soliman S, Hatef DA, Hollier LH, Thornton JF Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2011 Jan 127 1 142-9
The Dieffenbach Flap for Reconstruction of Auricular Defects After Mohs Micrographic Surgery.: Niksic A, Bennett A, Basagaoglu B, Nissan ME, Thornton JF, J Craniofac Surg 2024 Sep
Multidisciplinary Management of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Patient With Severe Congenital Hemophilia A.: Furtado KP, Nijhawan RI, Thornton JF, Dermatol Surg 2024 Mar
Biologic Agents in Plastic Surgery.: Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 2
Use of Biologic Agents in Nasal and Scalp Reconstruction.: Depani M, Grush AE, Parham MJ, Jones LM, Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 17-25
The Use of Biologic Wound Agents in Pediatric Reconstructions.: May JM, Depani M, Ferry AM, Koshy JC, Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 48-52
Technical Refinements with the Use of Biologic Healing Agents.: Dibbs RP, Depani M, Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 8-16
Overview of Biologic Agents Used in Skin and Soft Tissue Reconstruction.: Parham MJ, Grush AE, Smerica A, Wen YE, Depani M, Ferry AM, Jones LM, Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 3-7
Use of Biologic Agents for Lip and Cheek Reconstruction.: Depani M, Ferry AM, Grush AE, Moreno TA, Jones LM, Thornton JF, Semin Plast Surg 2022 Feb 36 1 26-32
Nasal Reconstruction after Mohs Cancer Resection: Lessons Learned from 2553 Consecutive Cases.: Halani SH, Ma C, Pierce J, Sanniec K, Thornton JF, Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 Jul 148 1 171-182

Books

Facial Reconstruction After Mohs Surgery

Thornton, James J.F. (Ed.) (2018). Thieme Medical Publishers. Inc.

Honors & Awards

Armed Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device
Department of the Navy (2003)
National Defense Medal
Department of the Navy (2003, 1990) (2003)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Department of the Navy (2003)
UT Southwestern Academic Achievement Award
(1996)
UT Southwestern Resident Training Award
(1995)
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Best Head and Neck Reconstruction Paper
2018, 2022
Teacher of the Year
UT Southwestern Medical Center Department of Plastic Surgery, 2011, 2015

Professional Associations/Affiliations

American Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; Dallas County Medical Society
American Society of Plastic Surgeons; Board Certified Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons of Dallas; Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
AO North America Maxillofacial Faculty; American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
Jurkiewicz Society; Parkland Surgical Society