Carrie K. Chu, M.D.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Chu
Dr. Carrie Chu is a board-certified plastic surgeon at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she specializes in breast cancer reconstruction and surgical treatment of lymphedema. In addition to offering the full spectrum of options for breast reconstruction, she has specific expertise in microvascular autologous breast reconstruction, including DIEP, PAP, LTP, TUG, and other alternative soft tissue flaps, sensate breast reconstruction, and secondary reconstruction in the setting of previously failed attempted breast reconstruction. She also specializes in minimally-invasive surgical techniques for harvest of vascularized lymph nodes for the treatment of lymphedema. Her contributions to the surgical field include publication of over seventy peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters, reviewer and editorial board membership for leading plastic surgery journals, and numerous invited lectureships at national and international conferences.
Dr. Chu received her undergraduate education at Cornell University. After obtaining her Medical Doctorate with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2005, she went on to complete her general and plastic surgery residencies at Emory University School of Medicine, where she also received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research. Upon completion of her fellowship in Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Chu was recruited to join the faculty of the Department of Plastic Surgery at MD Anderson.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA, MS, Clinical Research |
| 2005 | Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA, MD, Medicine |
| 2000 | Cornell University School of Arts & Sciences, Ithaca, NY, USA, BS, Biology & Psychology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2015-2015 | Clinical Observership, University of Tokyo Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokyo |
| 2015-2015 | Clinical Observership, University of Ghent Department of Plastic Surgery, Ghent |
| 2015-2016 | Microsurgical Fellowship Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2012-2015 | Clinical Residency, Plastic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
| 2008-2010 | Research Fellowship, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
| 2006-2012 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
| 2005-2006 | Clinical Internship, General Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA |
Experience & Service
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Junior Faculty Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Travel Advisory Committee Task Force, 2019 - Present
Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Academic Review Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Perioperative Informatics Operating Room Subcommittee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2020
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | Recipient, Office of Women & Minority Faculty Inclusion sponsorship award for the Association of American Medical Colleges Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | "Best Case" Award, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Plastic Surgery Annual Case Competition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2016 | "Best Save" Award, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Plastic Surgery Annual Case Competition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Department of Surgery Douglas R. Murray Award for Professionalism |
| 2011 | Department of Surgery Douglas R. Murray Award for Professionalism |
| 2009 | Finalist, Best Clinical Science Research Poster, Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting |
| 2009 | 1st Place Award, Clinical Science Research, Emory Department of Surgery Annual Research |
| 2009 | 1st Place Award, Clinical Science Research, GA Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Resident Presentation |
| 2009 | Atlanta Clinical Translational Science Institute, $45,376, Recipient of NIH-subsidized scholarship for completion of post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical research |
| 2004 | Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society |
| 1998 | Dean’s List, Cornell University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Schaverien MV, Baumann DP, Selber JC, Chang EI, Hanasono MM, Chu C, Hanson SE, Butler CE. Building a Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Academic Lymphedema Program. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 8(3):e2670, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32537334.
- Xue EY, Narvaez L, Chu CK, Hanson SE. Fat Processing Techniques. Semin Plast Surg 34(1):11-16, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32071574.
- Turner A, Abu-Ghname A, Davis MJ, Winocour SJ, Hanson SE, Chu CK. Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction. Semin Plast Surg 34(1):17-23, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32071575.
- Chu CK, Fang L, Kaplan J, Liu J, Hanasono MM, Yu P. The chicken or the egg? Relationship between venous congestion and hematoma in free flaps. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32209324.
- Chu CK, DeFazio M, Largo RD, Ross M.. Bilateral Breast Reconstruction with Profunda Artery Perforator Flaps and Immediate Implant Augmentation. Aesthetic Surg J Open Forum 2(1), 2020.
- Kaplan J, Wagner RD, Braun TL, Chu C, Winocour SJ. Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction. Semin Plast Surg 33(4):236-239, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31632206.
- Chu CK, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Winocour SJ, Losken A, Carlson GW. Implant Reconstruction in Nipple Sparing Mastectomy. Semin Plast Surg 33(4):247-257, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31632208.
- Xue EY, Cen N, Reece E, Chu CK, Winocour S. A Standardized Approach to Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Marking. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 7(10):e2479, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31772901.
- Jabbour SF, DeFazio MV, Yu P, Chu CK. The Superficial Ulnar Artery "Trap" Flap: Pearls and Pitfalls to Guide Aberrant Flap Harvest. J Reconstr Microsurg. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31450250.
- Chang EI, Chu CK, Chang EI. Advancements in imaging technology for microvascular free tissue transfer. J Surg Oncol 118(5):729-735, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30196530.
- Weiss A, Chu CK, Lin H, Shen Y, Shaitelman SF, Garvey PB, Bedrosian I, Babiera GV. Reconstruction in the Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient: Results from the National Cancer Database. Ann Surg Oncol 25(11):3125-3133, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30109538.
- Hart A, Funderburk C, Chu CK, Pinell-White XP, Halgopian T, Manning-Geist B, Carlson G, Losken A.. The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Wound Healing in Breast Reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 78(3):260-3, 2017. PMID: 27505449.
- McCullough MC, Chu CK, Duggal CS, Losken A, Carlson GW. Antibiotic prophylaxis and resistance in surgical site infection after immediate tissue expander reconstruction of the breast. Ann Plast Surg 77(5):501-505, 2016. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25003455.
- Carlson GW, Chu CK, Moyer HR, Duggal C, Losken A. Predictors of nipple ischemia after nipple sparing mastectomy. Breast J 20(1):69-73, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24224902.
- Elliott LF, Chu CK, Daniel J, Harper G, Bergey P. Immediate permanent implant reconstruction following mastectomy with capsule preservation in patients with prior augmentation mammoplasty. Ann Plast Surg 72(6):S103-6, 2014. PMID: 24401813.
- McDonald K, Page AJ, Jordan SW, Chu C, Hestley A, Delman KA, Murray DR, Carlson GW. Analysis of regional recurrence after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck melanoma. Head Neck 35(5):667-71, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22847953.
- Kneuertz PJ, Patel SH, Chu CK, Fisher SB, Maithel SK, Sarmiento JM, Weber SM, Staley CA, Kooby DA. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: trends and lessons learned through an 11-year experience. J Am Coll Surg 215(2):167-76, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22632910.
- Cannon RM, LeGrand R, Chagpar RB, Ahmad SA, McClaine R, Kim HJ, Rupp C, Cho CS, Brinkman A, Weber S, Winslow ER, Kooby DA, Chu CK, Staley CA, Glenn I, Hawkins WG, Parikh AA, Merchant NB, McMasters KM, Martin RC, Callender GG, Scoggins CR. Multi-institutional analysis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrating the effect of diabetes status on survival after resection. HPB (Oxford) 14(4):228-35, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22404260.
- Mayo SC, de Jong MC, Bloomston M, Pulitano C, Clary BM, Reddy SK, Clark Gamblin T, Celinski SA, Kooby DA, Staley CA, Stokes JB, Chu CK, Arrese D, Ferrero A, Schulick RD, Choti MA, Geschwind JF, Strub J, Bauer TW, Adams RB, Aldrighetti L, Mentha G, Capussotti L, Pawlik TM. Surgery versus intra-arterial therapy for neuroendocrine liver metastasis: a multicenter international analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 18(13):3657-65, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21681380.
- Chu CK, Delman KA, Carlson GW, Hestley AC, Murray DR. Inguinopelvic lymphadenectomy following positive inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma: true frequency of synchronous pelvic metastases. Ann Surg Oncol 18(12):3309-15, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21541825.
- Evans KK, Attinger CE, Al-Attar A, Salgado C, Chu CK, Mardini S, Neville R. The importance of limb preservation in the diabetic population. J Diabetes Complications 25(4):227-31, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21447444.
- Kneuertz PJ, Patel SH, Chu CK, Maithel SK, Sarmiento JM, Delman KA, Staley CA, Kooby DA. Effects of perioperative red blood cell transfusion on disease recurrence and survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 18(5):1327-34, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21369744.
- Vogel JE, Chu C, McCullough M, Anderson E, Losken A, Carlson GW. Breast cancer in women under age 40 years: treatment by total mastectomy and reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 66(5):557-60, 2011. PMID: 21451370.
- Schiffman SC, Chu CK, Park J, Russell M, Keilin S, Kooby DA, Scoggins CR, McMasters KM, Martin RC. Is prior cholecystectomy associated with decreased survival in patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma following pancreaticoduodenectomy?. Am J Surg 201(4):519-24, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20864079.
- Chagpar RB, Martin RC, Ahmad SA, Kim HJ, Rupp C, Weber S, Ebelhar A, Gilbert J, Brinkman A, Winslow E, Cho CS, Kooby D, Chu CK, Staley CA, McMasters KM, Scoggins CR. Medically managed hypercholesterolemia and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus preoperatively predicts poor survival after surgery for pancreatic cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 15(4):551-7, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21327533.
- Mayo SC, de Jong MC, Pulitano C, Clary BM, Reddy SK, Gamblin TC, Celinksi SA, Kooby DA, Staley CA, Stokes JB, Chu CK, Ferrero A, Schulick RD, Choti MA, Mentha G, Strub J, Bauer TW, Adams RB, Aldrighetti L, Capussotti L, Pawlik TM. Surgical management of hepatic neuroendocrine tumor metastasis: results from an international multi-institutional analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 17(12):3129-36, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20585879.
- Chu CK, Farnell MB, Nguyen JH, Stauffer JA, Kooby DA, Sclabas GM, Sarmiento JM. Prosthetic graft reconstruction after portal vein resection in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a multicenter analysis. J Am Coll Surg 211(3):316-24, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20800187.
- Chu CK, Zager JS, Marzban SS, Gimbel MI, Murray DR, Hestley AC, Messina JL, Sondak VK, Carlson GW, Delman KA. Routine biopsy of Cloquet's node is of limited value in sentinel node positive melanoma patients. J Surg Oncol 102(4):315-20, 2010. PMID: 20740592.
- Chu CK, Sarmiento JM, Park J, Staley CA, Galloway JR, Adsay NV, Kooby DA. Differences in presentation and perioperative outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer and benign pancreatitis. Am Surg 76(6):606-13, 2010. PMID: 20583516.
- Kooby DA, Hawkins WG, Schmidt CM, Weber SM, Bentrem DJ, Gillespie TW, Sellers JB, Merchant NB, Scoggins CR, Martin RC, Kim HJ, Ahmad S, Cho CS, Parikh AA, Chu CK, Hamilton NA, Doyle CJ, Pinchot S, Hayman A, McClaine R, Nakeeb A, Staley CA, McMasters KM, Lillemoe KD. A multicenter analysis of distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma: is laparoscopic resection appropriate?. J Am Coll Surg 210(5):779-85, 786-7, 2010. PMID: 20421049.
- Chu CK, Kooby DA. Laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic tumors. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 19(2):311-33, 2010. PMID: 20159517.
- Chu CK, Mazo AE, Sarmiento JM, Staley CA, Adsay NV, Umpierrez GE, Kooby DA. Impact of diabetes mellitus on perioperative outcomes after resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Am Coll Surg 210(4):463-73, 2010. PMID: 20347739.
- Kooby DA, Chu CK. Laparoscopic management of pancreatic malignancies. Surg Clin North Am 90(2):427-46, 2010. PMID: 20362796.
- Chu CK, Mazo AE, Goodman M, Egnatashvili V, Sarmiento JM, Staley CA, Galloway JR, Adsay NV, Jacobs S, Kooby DA. Preoperative diabetes mellitus and long-term survival after resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 17(2):502-13, 2010. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19885697.
- Lowe MC, Coban I, Adsay NV, Sarmiento JM, Chu CK, Staley CA, Galloway JR, Kooby DA. Important prognostic factors in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Am Surg 75(9):754-60; discussion 761, 2009. PMID: 19774945.
- Merchant NB, Rymer J, Koehler EA, Ayers GD, Castellanos J, Kooby DA, Weber SH, Cho CS, Schmidt CM, Nakeeb A, Matos JM, Scoggins CR, Martin RC, Kim HJ, Ahmad SA, Chu CK, McClaine R, Bednarski BK, Staley CA, Sharp K, Parikh AA. Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: who really benefits?. J Am Coll Surg 208(5):829-38; discussion 838-41, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19476845.
Invited Articles
- Chu, CK, Bedrosian I.. Prophylactic Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction in Patients at High-Risk for Breast Cancer. Curr Breast Cancer Rep. e-Pub 2020.
- Chu CK, Carlson GW. Techniques and Outcomes of Nipple Sparing Mastectomy in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer. Curr Breast Cancer Rep(5):118-124, 2013.
Editorials
- Chu CK. Commentary on: The Leaky Pipeline of Women in Plastic Surgery: Embracing Diversity to Close the Gender Disparity Gap. Aesthet Surg J. PMID: 32050019.
- Chu CK, Chang EI. Discussion: Preoperative Perforator Mapping in SGAP Flap: Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Make the Difference?. Plast Reconstr Surg 144(4):820-821, 2019. PMID: 31568282.
Book Chapters
- Chu CK, Peirong Y.. Free Flap for Hemi-Tongue Reconstruction. In: Operative Techniques in Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery. Wolters Kluwer, 2020.
- Chu CK, Butler CE.. Omental Flap for Pelvic Reconstruction. In: Operative Techniques in Breast Surgery. Trunk Reconstruction, and Body Contouring. Wolters Kluwer, 2020.
- Chu CK, Hanasono MH.. Skull Base Reconstruction: Current Concepts. In: Restoration, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, 2019.
- Chu CK, Losken A.. Managment of Complications Following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy. In: Operative Approaches to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy. Springer, 2017.