Introduction

Dr. Laurence Samuel Paek is a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery

After graduating from McGill University medical school in 2009, he completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at the Université de Montréal where he was awarded the prize for highest academic achievement in his graduating class. During his surgical training, he earned a master's degree in biomedical sciences for his research on breast implant biomaterials and their applications in both reconstruction and aesthetics. Dr. Paek subsequently completed a fellowship in microsurgery and complex reconstruction at world top-ranked Stanford University in California and was appointed Clinical Instructor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He also worked with some of the foremost leaders in medical technology innovation while pursuing post-graduate studies at the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign.

Dr. Paek also holds a clinical fellowship from the University of Toronto Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and worked at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

He returned to Montreal in 2017 with an appointment as Fellowship Director at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). During his 5 year tenure, Dr. Paek trained and mentored doctors from across the globe in specialized plastic surgery while implementing a rapid expansion of the microsurgery program. Under his leadership, the fellowship training program became the largest of its kind in Canada and one of the largest in North America. He continues to practice and teach at the CHUM with a focus on microsurgery, burns, skin cancer and complex reconstruction of the face, breast and body. Dr. Paek is currently Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Hôpital de la Cité-de-la Santé and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Université de Montréal. He also provides consulting services to a wide range of biomedical and technology companies in Canada, the United States and South Korea.

Dr. Paek has authored over 25 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters covering diverse topics in medicine and surgery. He has been an invited professor and speaker in North America, Europe and Asia. As a lifelong learner, over the years he has continued to perfect his craft in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery as visiting scholar at some of the most state-of-the-art clinics and hospitals in Seoul, South Korea and Singapore.

In 2023, he partnered with Dr. Ezat Hashim and joined La Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montréal in order to continue the tradition of excellence at Montreal's very first plastic surgery clinic.

Dr. Paek provides a thoughtful and personalized approach to all of his patients while using the latest techniques and innovations in the field. Patients can be assured that they will always receive a candid opinion from Dr. Paek during the consultation process. Safety is his top priority and only procedures with a clear medical or aesthetic benefit will be proposed.

Honours and Awards

2023

Invited Speaker
Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (Seoul, South Korea)

2022

Scientific Session Co-Chair Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting (Quebec City, QC, Canada)
2019

Visiting Professor
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Calgary (Calgary, AB, Canada)
2017

Visiting Professor
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova)
Honorary Membership
Moldavian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

2015

Chief Resident Academic Achievement Award – Université de Montréal Plastic Surgery For the highest academic achievement in the graduating class

2010

First Prize Research Poster
Association des spécialistes en chirurgie plastique et esthétique du Québec (Quebec City, QC, Canada)
CRCHUM Excellence Award
Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM)

2009

YGF Fellow
Korean Federation of Science and Technology

2008

Korean Canadian Science Scholarship Foundation Award

2007

American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting Scholarship
Dr. Clarke K. McLeod Memorial Scholarship McGill University Faculty of Medicine

2006

Sir Edward W. Beatty Memorial Scholarship McGill University Faculty of Medicine

Research Studentships in Medicine Laureate R&D Health Research Foundation/Canadian Institute of Health Research

Korean Honour Scholarship Embassy of the Republic of Korea

J.W. McConnell Scholarship McGill University Faculties of Science and Medicine

2005

J.W. McConnell Scholarship
McGill University Faculties of Science and Medicine
Dean’s Honour List
McGill University Faculty of Science

2004

Canada Millennium Excellence Award Laureate
J.W. McConnell Scholarship
McGill University Faculties of Science and Medicine
Dean’s Honour List
McGill University Faculty of Science
Certificate of Merit
McGill University

Licensure Examinations

2017

Member, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

2016

Permit to Practice Medicine, Collège des Médecins du Québec

2015

Physician and Surgeon, The Medical Board of California
Board Certification in Plastic Surgery Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

2011

United States Medical Licensing Exam Step III
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Surgical Foundations Examination

2010

Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada Part II
United States Medical Licensing Exam Step II CS

2009

Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada Part I
United States Medical Licensing Exam Step II CK

2007

United States Medical Licensing Exam Step I

Education and Fellowships

2017

Fellowship, Total Burn Care
University of Toronto (Toronto, ON, Canada)

2015-2016

Fellowship, Microsurgery & Complex Reconstruction
Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA, USA)

Biodesign Innovation Graduate Course
Stanford University Byers Center for Biodesign (Palo Alto, CA, USA)

2009-2015

Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency
Université de Montréal (Montreal, QC, Canada)

2010-2015

M.Sc. (Biomedical Sciences)
Université de Montréal (Montreal, QC, Canada)

2005-2009

M.D., C.M.
McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada)

Association & Committee Memberships

Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS)

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), Plastic Surgery

Association des spécialistes en chirurgie plastique et esthétique du Québec (ASCPEQ)

Moldavian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Languages

• English
• French
• Korean

Master's Thesis

Paek LS., (2015) Applying Scanning Electron Microscopy for the Ultrastructural and Clinical Analysis of Periprosthetic Capsules in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Selected Presentations

Paek LS. Reconstructive Challenges in Complex Burn Injury. Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Annual Meeting (PRS KOREA), 2023 (Seoul, Korea)

Paek LS. Replant Surgery in Quebec. University of Calgary Division of Plastic Surgery, 2019 (Calgary, AB, Canada)

Paek LS. Lymphedema Surgery: an Overview. Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2019 (Montreal, QC, Canada)

Paek LS. Surgery, Technology and Research in Lymphedema. Annual conference of the Lymphedema Association of Quebec. 2018 (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Paek LS. Lymphedema Treatment at the CHUM. Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Montreal – CHUM. 2018 (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Paek LS. Abdominal-based Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Insights into Approach and Technique. Annual congress of the Moldavian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. 2017 (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova).

Paek LS. The Effects of Music on Microsurgical Technique and Performance: A Motion Analysis Study. California Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2016 (Santa Monica, CA, USA).

Paek LS. Postoperative Expansion Timing in 2-staged Implant-based Breast Reconstruction and the Periprosthetic Capsule: Clinical and Ultrastructural effects. Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) Annual Meeting, 2014 (Montreal, QC, Canada)

Paek LS. The role of Angioradiology and Microvascular Stents in Free Flap Salvage: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. 17th Congress of the International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS), 2013 (Santiago, Chile)

Paek LS. A Quality of Life Analysis of Patients Reconstructed for Major Facial Destruction. Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) Annual Meeting, 2012 (Toronto, ON, Canada)

Paek LS. Major Facial Disfigurement: Quality of Life and Psychosocial Assessment Tools. Association des spécialistes en chirurgie plastique et esthétique du Québec (ASCPEQ) Annual Meeting, 2012 (Mont-Tremblant, QC, Canada)

Professional Experience

August 2023 to present
Chief, Plastic Surgery Division Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé – Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

September 2018 to present
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

September 2017 to present
Attending Surgeon, Department of Surgery – Division of Plastic Surgery Centre Hospitalier de l’ Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
Consultant
Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital, Montreal QC, Canada

August 2016 to present
Attending Surgeon, Department of Surgery – Division of Plastic Surgery Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé – Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

September 2017 to June 2022
Fellowship Director, Plastic Surgery Centre Hospitalier de l’ Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada

August 2015 to July 2016
Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery - Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Attending Surgeon, Department of Surgery - Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA

Publications

Laurent R, Trifan A, Danino AD, Paek LS, Shoucair R, Briand E, Bernier C, Danino MA. Autogenous Breast Reconstruction for Total Mastectomies: A Narrative Review. Ann Transl Med. 2023

Papas Y, Laurent R, Efanov IJ, Paek LS, Danino MA. Oversized Lotus Petal Flap for Reconstruction of Extensive Perineal Defects following Abdominoperineal resection. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2022 Sep;67(4):224-231.

Awaida CJ, Paek LS, Danino MA. A New Technique for Breast Pocket Adjustment: Argon Beam Thermal Capsulorrhaphy. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Jul 25;10(7):e4437.

Danino MA, Efanov JI, Awaida C, Benarous D, Paek LS. Commentary on: In Vitro Evaluation of Common Antimicrobial Solutions Used for Breast Implant Soaking and Breast Pocket Irrigation – Parts 1 and 2. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 Oct 15;41(11):1263-1265.

Danino MA, Giaccone D, Abdolraziq M, Retchkiman M, Paek LS, Bou-Merhi JS, Matetsa E, Iezzoni J. Impact of Facebook Patient Groups in the Surgical Decision Making Process; The Example of Biocell® Macro-textured Implants Recall. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2021 Feb;66(1):19-24.

Danino MA, El-Khatib A, Paek LS, Iliescu Nelea M, Gagnon, A, Bernier C, Bou-Merhi J. Proposed Etiology of Red Breast Syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019 Aug;7(8 Suppl):20-21.

liescu M, Paek LS, Dao LP, Izadpanah A, Efanov JI, Coeugniet E, Rouchet N, Danino MA. In-situ characterization of the bacterial biofilm associated with Xeroform™ and Kaltostat™ dressings and evaluation of their effectiveness on thin skin engraftment donor sites in burn patients. Burns. 2019 Aug;45(5):1122-1130.

Shine J, Efanov JI, Paek LS, Coeuniet E, Danino MA, Izadpanah A. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy As a Definitive Treatment for Upper Extremity Wound Defects: A Systematic Review. Int Wound J. 2019 Aug;16(4):960-967.

Dimitropoulos G, Efanov JI, Paek LS, Bou-Merhi J, Danino MA. Comparison of Venous Couplers versus Hand-sewn Technique in Free Flap Breast Reconstruction. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2019 Apr;64(2):150-156.

Danino MA, Paek LS, Elkhatib A, Obeid F, Boumerhi J. Reply: Do Bacteria and Biofilm Play a Role in Double-Capsule Formation around Macrotextured Implants? Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Oct; 142(4):589e-590e.

Danino MA, Efanov JI, Paek LS, Nelea MI. Reply: Capsular Biofilm formation at the Interface of Textured Implants and Acellular Dermal Matrix : A Comparative Scanning Electron Microscopy Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Oct;142(4):587e-588e.

Chetta MD, Shakir A, Paek LS, Lee GK. Evaluating Resident Perspectives on International Humanitarian Missions. J Craniofac Surg. 2018 Mar;29(2):279-285.

Danino MA, Nizard N, Paek LS, Govshievich A, Giot JP. Do Bacteria and Biofilm Play a Role in Double-Capsule Formation around Macrotextured Implants? Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 Nov;140(5):878-883.

Shakir A, Chattopadhyay A, Paek LS, McGoldrick RB, Chetta MD, Hui K, Lee GK. The Effects of Music on Microsurgical Technique and Performance: A Motion Analysis Study. Ann Plast Surg. 2017 May;78 (5 Suppl 4): S243-S247.

Giot JP, Paek LS, Mercier-Couture G, Coeugniet E, Bou-Merhi J, Harris PG, Danino MA. Free Transfer of a Paralyzed Contralateral Little Finger for Total Thumb Reconstruction in an Electrical Burn Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Burn Care Res. 2016 Nov/ Dec;37(6):e595-e600

Giot JP, Paek LS, Danino MA. Biofilms Exposed to Shear Stress may Demonstrate a Modified Composition. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jan; 137(1):239e-240e.

Giot JP, Paek LS, Danino MA. Expansion Approach may be Adapted to Breast Expander Implant Texture. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jan;137(1):241e-242e.

Giot JP, Paek LS, Danino MA. The Challenges in Presenting Complex Studies. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Dec;136(6):838e-839e.

Giot JP, Paek LS, Nizard N, El-Diwany M, Gaboury LA, Nelea M, Bou-Merhi JS, Harris PG, Danino MA. The Double Capsule in Macro-textured Breast Implants. Biomaterials. 2015 Jun 23;67:65-72.

Paek LS, Giot JP, Tétreault-Paquin JO, St-Jacques S, Nelea M, Danino MA. The Impact of Postoperative Expansion Initiation Timing on Breast Expander Capsular Characteristics: A Prospective Combined Clinical and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Apr;135(4):967-974.

Coeugniet E, Tremblay-Champagne MP, Paek LS, Vanlerberghe B, Suissa D, Danino MA, Torabi D. Effective Management of Diabetic Neuropathic Ulcers by Surgical Restoration of Foot Architecture: A Retrospective Study of 134 Cases. Can J Diabetes. 2015 Mar 19. pii: S1499-2671(14)00711-4.

Coeugniet E, Harris PG, Soulez G, Paek LS, Delli Fraine P, Danino MA. Interventional Angioradiology as a Solution for Microsurgical Flap Failure. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2013 Jun;58(3):188-93.

Paek LS, Boa O, Revol M, Servant JM, Harris PG, Danino MA. A Review of 105 Subscapular-based Flaps Harvested using a New Dorsal Decubitus Position: How Far Can We Go? Eplasty. 2013;13:e10.

Paek LS, Tétreault-Paquin JO, St-Jacques S, Nelea M, Danino MA. Is Scanning Electron Microscopy a Pertinent Tool for the Analysis of Periprostethic Breast Capsules? Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2013 Jun;58(3):201-7.

Paek LS, Boa O, Revol M, Servant JM, Harris PG, Danino MA. A New Dorsal Decubitus Position for Raising Subscapular-based Flaps. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2012 Mar;65(3):e60-3.

Paek LS, Lee GK. Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Flap. In: Handbook of Reconstructive Flaps. New York: Thieme, 2020.

Paek LS, Baylan JM, Nguyen DH. Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer for the Treatment of Lymphedema. In: Lymphedema: A Concise Compendium of Theory and Practice. 2nd edition. Springer International Publishing, 2018.