Education and Career

Dr. Sharline Zacur Aboutanos graduated with Honors in Biology from the University of Miami. She received her medical degree (MD) from the University of Miami School of Medicine with Research Distinction.

Dr. Aboutanos was chosen to attend a competitive residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at VCU Health Systems/MCV Hospitals. She has had extensive training in all types of cosmetic surgery, including facial plastic surgery, breast augmentation, breast reduction and reconstruction, tummy tuck, and liposuction. She presented her research at national and international meetings, received awards, and published on these topics. She was recognized for her dedication to patients and work ethic with both Intern of the Year and S. Dawson Theogaraj Scholarship Awards.

Dr. Aboutanos also completed a fellowship in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery with nationally acclaimed surgeon, Dr. Louis Morales, Jr., at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her extensive training included cleft lip and palate surgeries, skull reshaping surgery/treatment, ear reconstruction, skin lesion removal, and vascular malformation removal. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).

Dr. Aboutanos is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She joined Richmond Plastic Surgeons in 2011. She was voted Best Plastic Surgeon in Best of Henrico for 2014–2015.

Publications and Speaking

Dr. Sharline Z. Aboutanos has been an invited speaker throughout the United States, Central America, and South America. She has lectured on a variety of topics, including pediatric plastic surgery, cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, abnormal head shapes in the pediatric population, as well as craniofacial trauma in children.

As a member of the Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Team at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Dr. Aboutanos regularly presents to her colleagues on pediatric plastic surgery issues. Her most recent presentation at St. Mary’s, “Ear Reconstruction and Reshaping,” focused on the different types of ear anomalies, including Stahl’s ear, lop/cup/constricted ear, cryptotia and prominent ear, as well as the ear reshaping procedures that could help these conditions, especially ear molding (with EarWell) and otoplasty. Additionally, she discussed ear reconstruction with techniques such as costal cartilage rib graft and temporoparietal fascial flaps to correct microtia and trauma to the ear. In this talk, she also mentioned that she can help treat clefts of the earlobe, preauricular skin tags or accessory tragus, ear piercing and ear piercing complications.

An abbreviated selection of Dr. Aboutanos’ publications:

• Aboutanos SZ, McAndrew K, Unkel J, Wornom IL. Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia and challenges in facial reconstructive surgery. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 55(1)127-131, 2018.

• Aboutanos SZ, Spinos E, Blanchet NP. Angiographic delay, a viable alternative to surgical delay. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 68(6):562-7, 2012.

• Aboutanos MB, Aboutanos SZ, Dompkowski D, Duane TD, Malhotra AK, Ivatury RR. Significance of motor vehicle crashes and pelvic injury on fetal mortality: A five-year institutional review. Journal of Trauma. 65(3):616-20, 2008.

• Pozez AL, Aboutanos SZ, Lucas VS. Diagnosis and treatment of uncommon wounds. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 34(4)749-64, 2007.

• Aboutanos SZ, Aboutanos MB, Dompkowski D, Duane TD, Malhotra AK, Ivatury RR. Predictors of fetal outcome in pregnant trauma patients: A five-year institutional review. The American Surgeon. 73(8):824-7, 2007.

• Aboutanos MB, Rodas E, Aboutanos SZ, Mora FE, Duane TM, Malhotra AK, Ivatury RR. Trauma education and care in the jungles of Ecuador: Where there is no Advanced Trauma Life Support. Journal of Trauma. 62(3):714-9, 2007.

• Aboutanos SZ, Aboutanos MB, Malhotra AK, Duane TM, Ivatury RR. Management of a pregnant patient with an open abdomen. Journal of Trauma. 59(5):1052-6, 2005.