Dr. De La Cruz specializes in breast reconstruction surgery at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, and has an active role in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center. Dr. De La Cruz's concentration is in a technique used only at a dozen centers across the country called free tissue transfer, or free TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap, for reconstruction in cancer patients. Free tissue transfer involves completely transplanting fat tissue from the abdomen to form new breasts rather than using implants, with minimal cutting of muscles. This technique requires delicate microsurgery to reattach the blood supply to the chest wall, but for most it results in much more satisfying outcomes. Her research interests include clinical evaluation of outcomes of breast surgery using both autologous tissue and implant-based methods for reconstruction.
Dr. De La Cruz completed a fellowship in microvascular reconstructive surgery at M.D. Anderson Medical Center in Houston. She completed her plastic surgery residency training at the University of Miami.
