Current Environment:

Research Overview

Dr. Mulliken’s research focuses on cleft lip/palate and craniofacial and vascular anomalies.

Cleft Lip/Palate: Dr. Mulliken uses direct anthropometry and indirect anthropometry (3-dimensional stereophotogrammetry) to monitor changes in nasolabial dimensions in children and older patients who have had repair of cleft lip/palate. He also periodically documents his speech results and revision rates.  These data permit re-calibration of the surgical techniqes employed in new patients.

He also collaborates with a genetics team in Houston that is searching for genes that cause cleft lip/palate.

Craniofacial Anomalies:  Dr. Mulliken is Director of the Craniofacial Centre. He and his colleagues analyze changes with growth that occur in patients who underwent operation in infancy for various types of craniosynostosis and other inheritable disorders.

Vascular Anomalies:  Dr. Mulliken is internationally recognized as the pioneer in this new field. He is cofounder of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies and co-Director of the Vascular Anomalies Center at Children’s Hospital. He works with a team of specialists who are involved in clinical research focused on understanding and treatment of these complex disorders.  He is also actively involved in basic research into the cellular basis for infantile hemangiomas, genetic causes for vascular malformations and evaluation of novel drugs that might inhibit growth and prevent regrowth. 

Research Background

Dr. Mulliken graduated from Princeton University, attended medical school at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed general surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and plastic surgical residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.  He enjoys teaching and has mentored countless medical students, residents, fellows and international surgeons, many of whom have become leaders in their field.

Selected Publications

  1. Lee D, Boscolo E, Durham JT, Mulliken JB, Herman IM, Bischoff J. Propranolol targets contractility of infantile hemangioma-derived pericytes. Br J Dermatol.  2014
  2. Ridgway EB, Sauerhammer T, Chiou AP, LaBrie RA, Mulliken JB.  Reflections on the mating pool for women in plastic surgery.   Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2014;133:187-194.
  3. Lee MS, Liang MG, Mulliken JB.  Diffuse capillary malformation with overgrowth: A clinical subtype of vascular anomalies with hypertrophy.  J. Am. Acad.Dermatol. 2013;69:589-94.
  4. Tan SP, Proctor MR, Mulliken JB, Rogers CF.  Early frontofacial symmetry after correction of unilateral coronal synostosis: Fronto-orbital advancement vs. endoscopic strip craniectomy and helmet therapy.  J. Craniofac.Surg. 2013;24:1190-1194.
  5. Mulliken JB, Kim DC.  Repair of bilateral incomplete cleft lip: Techniques and outcomes.  Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2013;132:923-932.
  6. Mulliken JB, Schmidt AG. Gustav Simon’s band and the evolution of labial adhesion.  J. Craniofac Surg. 2013;24:108-114.

Patel KB, Sullivan SR, Murthy AS, Marrinan E., Mulliken JB.  Speech outcome after palatal repair in nonsyndromic versus syndromic Robin sequence. Plast.Reconstr. Surg. 2012;578e-585e

Publications