Craig Brendon Birgfeld, MD

Craig Brendon Birgfeld, MD

Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Center, Vascular Anomalies, Cranial Base, Endoscopic Strip Craniectomy, Facial Reanimation

On staff since July 2006

Children's Title: Director, Plastic Surgery Education

Academic Title: Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery

Research Center: Center for Clinical and Translational Research

"I consider myself lucky every day be a part of my patients’ lives. I am fortunate to work in an environment, with a dedicated team of physicians who are as committed as I am to providing the best possible care for our children with craniofacial differences. We are dedicated to improving their lives as they improve ours."

  • Biography

    Dr. Birgfeld grew up in Littleton Colorado where he played football and was an Academic All American swimmer. He went on to the College of William and Mary where he became the president of his fraternity, the captain of his swim team and held a number of school records. After 2 years of research, he matriculated to the Medical College of Virginia where he met Dr. Isaac Wornom, a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon. The experience of treating patients with craniofacial conditions while in medical school, led Craig to the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he learned from world experts in craniofacial surgery. This surgical training led to Seattle, where Dr. Birgfeld spent a year fellowship with Dr.’s Gruss and Hopper learning the techniques of craniofacial surgery. After fellowship, Dr. Birgfeld was offered a faculty position at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital and moved his family to Seattle where he has practiced since 2007. Here in Seattle, he enjoys hiking, biking and skiing with his wife, son and twin daughters and can often be found cheering on his kids at their own local swim meets.

  • Patient Testimonials

    • Ruvim federal way Washington 09.05.23

      Best plastic surgeon in the pacific northwest for young adults.

    Recommend Craig Brendon Birgfeld, MD

  • Awards and Honors

    Award Name Award Description Awarded By Award Date
    SEATTLE TOP DOCTOR - 2022 Seattle Magazine 2022
    Seattle Top Doctor 2016 Seattle Met Magazine 2016
    SEATTLE TOP DOCTOR - 2015 Seattle Magazine 2015

  • Publications

    Other Publications

    • Birgfeld CB, Luquetti DV, Gougoutas AJ, Bartlett SP, Low DW, Sie KC, Evans KN, Heike CL
      A phenotypic assessment tool for craniofacial microsomia.
      21200224 Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2011 Jan. : 313-20
    • Scott JR, Isom CN, Gruss JS, Salemy S, Ellenbogen RG, Avellino A, Birgfeld C, Hopper RA
      Symptom outcomes following cranial vault expansion for craniosynostosis in children older than 2 years.
      19116564 Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2009 Jan. : 289-97; discussion 298-9
    • Birgfeld CB, Chang B
      The periglabellar flap for closure of central forehead defects.
      17572554 Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2007 July : 130-3
    • Birgfeld CB, Glick P, Singh D, LaRossa D, Bartlett S
      Midface growth in patients with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome.
      17572556 Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2007 July : 144-50
    • Birgfeld CB, Low DW
      Total face reconstruction using a pre-expanded, bilateral, extended, parascapular free flap.
      16641638 Annals of plastic surgery, 2006 May : 565-8

Overview

Board Certification(s)

Plastic Surgery

Medical/Professional School

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, Richmond, VA

Residency

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Clinical Interests

Craniofacial surgery; craniosynostosis; facial growth in clefting; orthognathic distraction and facial trauma

Research Description

My research interests include outcomes of craniofacial surgery utilizing facial CT scans and three-dimensional analysis of the growing face. My clinical interests align with my research efforts and include cleft and craniofacial surgery as well as microsurgical facial reanimation surgeries for patients with facial paralysis and soft tissue augmentation for patients with hemifacial microsomia.

Through my research and clinical pursuits, my goal is to make the Craniofacial Center at Seattle Children's a world leader and to optimize the care for all children born in the Northwest with craniofacial difference who are treated in our Center.

Research Focus Area

Craniofacial, Translational Research