Mary E. Lester, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery
Co-Director Microsurgery Fellowship
Co-Director Microsurgery Skills Laboratory
- melester@iu.edu
- Phone
- 317-944-3636
- Address
-
1801 N Senate Blvd
Medical Professional Center 1, Suite 635
Indianapolis, IN 46202 - PubMed:
-
Bio
Mary E. Lester, MD, FACS, currently serves as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery within the Department of Surgery. Dr. Lester received her medical degree and completed her General Surgery Residency at Emory University. She completed her Plastic Surgery and Microsurgical training at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Prior to joining Indiana University, Dr. Lester was in practice at MUSC and University of Florida specializing in Plastic Surgery and Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction. Her clinical focus includes all aspects of reconstruction for adult conditions. Her research focuses on the application of patient outcomes to improve quality, as well as the development educational programs to train plastic surgeons in microsurgery. Teaching remains one of Dr. Lester's passions and she works closely with the Plastic Surgery Residency as Co-Director of the Microsurgery Fellowship and Microsurgical Skills Lab.
Key Publications
Lester ME, Berns J, Dawson S, Newsom K, Hartman B, Hassanein AH. A Novel Framework for Optimizing Efficiency and Education in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Nov 27;11(11):e5445. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005445. PMID: 38025630; PMCID: PMC10681592.
Ahmed S, Zaidi SS, Fisher CS, Ludwig KK, Imeokparia FO, VonDerHaar RJ, Bamba R, Danforth RM, Hassanein AH, Lester ME. Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads: Effect on Tissue Expander Reconstruction Outcomes following Mastectomy Skin Necrosis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 Nov 1;156(5):642e-645e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000012220. Epub 2025 May 20. PMID: 40403293.
Ahmed S, Sidhu A, VonDerHaar RJ, Danforth RM, Fisher CS, Lester ME, Hassanein AH. Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction: Effect on Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction Following Partial Mastectomy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2025 Sep;32(9):6212-6214. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-17791-y. Epub 2025 Jul 5. PMID: 40616762.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Fellowship | Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2007 | Fellowship | Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2005 | Residency | Emory University |
| 2000 | MD | Emory University |
| 1996 | BS | Auburn University |
Breast Reconstruction
Clinical Outcomes
Microsurgery Education
A Comparative Analysis of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Methods for Sternal Wound Infections.
Bamba R; Harvey BI; Malik NU; Higgins J; Sung C; Corvera JS; Hartman BC; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2025 Mar 7
Bamba R; Harvey BI; Malik NU; Higgins J; Sung C; Corvera JS; Hartman BC; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2025 Mar 7
Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads: Effect on Postoperative Drain Management Following Breast Reconstruction.
Ahmed S; Hajj JP; Bamba R; Danforth RM; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2025 Mar 3
Ahmed S; Hajj JP; Bamba R; Danforth RM; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2025 Mar 3
Effect on Timing of Free Flap Breast Reconstruction on Mastectomy Skin Necrosis.
Ahmed S; Crabtree J; Fallah KN; Rinne EJ; Hulsman L; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Danforth RM; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2025 Mar 11
Ahmed S; Crabtree J; Fallah KN; Rinne EJ; Hulsman L; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Danforth RM; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2025 Mar 11
Implant-based Breast Reconstruction Salvage with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation: An Evaluation of Outcomes.
Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Fisher C; Bamba R; Danforth R; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Sep 3
Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Fisher C; Bamba R; Danforth R; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Sep 3
Prophylactic Buried Dermal Flap: A Simple Method for Axillary Reconstruction after Lymph Node Dissection.
Fallah KN; Ahmed S; Venardi AS; Hulsman LA; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Sep 12
Fallah KN; Ahmed S; Venardi AS; Hulsman LA; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Sep 12
Immediate Breast Reconstruction for Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma: A Scoping Review.
Davé N; Hajj JP; Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Singh NP; Fisher CS; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of surgical oncology 2024 Oct 17
Davé N; Hajj JP; Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Singh NP; Fisher CS; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of surgical oncology 2024 Oct 17
Breast Implant Reconstruction in the Ptotic Patient: Evaluation of Wise and Vertical Skin Sparing Mastectomy.
Holohan MM; Diaz SM; Newsom K; Smith A; Fan B; Imeokparia FO; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.) 2024 Mar 12
Holohan MM; Diaz SM; Newsom K; Smith A; Fan B; Imeokparia FO; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.) 2024 Mar 12
Evaluating Operative Times for Intraoperative Conversion of Axillary Node Biopsy to Axillary Lymph Node Dissection with Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction.
Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Roth D; Fisher C; Ludwig K; Imeokparia FO; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2024 Jun 12
Ahmed S; Hulsman L; Roth D; Fisher C; Ludwig K; Imeokparia FO; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2024 Jun 12
Prophylactic absorbable antibiotic beads for prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: A single institution early experience.
Ahmed S; Hajj JP; VonDerHaar RJ; Bamba R; Danforth RM; Sinha M; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2024 Jul 25
Ahmed S; Hajj JP; VonDerHaar RJ; Bamba R; Danforth RM; Sinha M; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2024 Jul 25
Postoperative Day 1 Dangling Protocol with Tissue Oximetry Guidance Decreases Hospital Stay in Lower Extremity Fasciocutaneous Free Flaps: Early Experience.
Danforth R; Wiebe JE; Socas J; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Aug 27
Danforth R; Wiebe JE; Socas J; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024 Aug 27
Effect of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction on Postmastectomy Implant Reconstruction.
Ahmed S; Mercho PF; Brown WA; Aguilar Neuville P; Fisher CS; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Annals of surgical oncology 2024 Aug 17
Ahmed S; Mercho PF; Brown WA; Aguilar Neuville P; Fisher CS; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Annals of surgical oncology 2024 Aug 17
Trends in Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction.
Ahmed S; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Manghelli J; Fisher C; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Fan B; Cureus 2024 Apr 28
Ahmed S; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Manghelli J; Fisher C; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Fan B; Cureus 2024 Apr 28
Same day discharge following mastectomy and immediate tissue expander reconstruction: The effect of patient expectations.
Wiebe J; Singh NP; Dawson S; Berns J; Drake C; Fisher C; Ludwig K; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2024 Apr 12
Wiebe J; Singh NP; Dawson S; Berns J; Drake C; Fisher C; Ludwig K; VonDerHaar RJ; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2024 Apr 12
Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads for High-risk, Implant-based Prepectoral Reconstruction.
Ahmed S; Lee JTC; Roth D; Sinha M; Fisher C; Fan B; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2023 Oct 16
Ahmed S; Lee JTC; Roth D; Sinha M; Fisher C; Fan B; Imeokparia F; Ludwig K; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2023 Oct 16
A Novel Framework for Optimizing Efficiency and Education in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Lester ME; Berns J; Dawson S; Newsom K; Hartman B; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2023 Nov 27
Lester ME; Berns J; Dawson S; Newsom K; Hartman B; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2023 Nov 27
Optimizing tissue expander breast reconstruction in nicotine users: An algorithmic approach.
Dawson SE; Berns JM; Tran PC; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2022 Jun 30
Dawson SE; Berns JM; Tran PC; Fisher CS; Ludwig KK; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2022 Jun 30
Advantages of the Delayed-Immediate Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Extending the Choice.
Pittelkow E; DeBrock W; Christopher L; Mercho R; Suh LJ; Fisher CS; Hartman B; Lester M; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2022 Feb 8
Pittelkow E; DeBrock W; Christopher L; Mercho R; Suh LJ; Fisher CS; Hartman B; Lester M; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2022 Feb 8
Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction to Prevent Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review.
Cook JA; Sinha M; Lester M; Fisher CS; Sen CK; Hassanein AH; Advances in wound care 2022 Feb 23
Cook JA; Sinha M; Lester M; Fisher CS; Sen CK; Hassanein AH; Advances in wound care 2022 Feb 23
Evaluation of Prepectoral Breast Tissue Expander Reconstruction Intraoperative Fill: Air or Saline?
Bamba R; Christopher L; Mailey BA; Mercho R; Dawson SE; Hadad I; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2022 Dec 5
Bamba R; Christopher L; Mailey BA; Mercho R; Dawson SE; Hadad I; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2022 Dec 5
Fundamentals of Microsurgery: A Novel Simulation Curriculum Based on Validated Laparoscopic Education Approaches.
Chauhan R; Ingersol C; Wooden WA; Gordillo GM; Stefanidis D; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2022 Dec 23
Chauhan R; Ingersol C; Wooden WA; Gordillo GM; Stefanidis D; Hassanein AH; Lester ME; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2022 Dec 23
Comparison of Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Using Oxychlorosene versus Triple Antibiotic Solution for Pocket Irrigation.
Bamba R; Tran PC; Mailey BA; Lin J; DeBrock W; Dawson S; Sinha M; Hartman BC; Hadad I; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2022 Aug 18
Bamba R; Tran PC; Mailey BA; Lin J; DeBrock W; Dawson S; Sinha M; Hartman BC; Hadad I; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2022 Aug 18
Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Using Oxychlorosene for Pocket Irrigation.
Dawson SE; Bamba R; Tran PC; Mailey B; Lin J; Lester M; Sinha M; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Sep 1
Dawson SE; Bamba R; Tran PC; Mailey B; Lin J; Lester M; Sinha M; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Sep 1
The Virtual Visiting Professor: Temporary Form of COVID-19 Social Distancing or Potential Paradigm Shift?
Bamba R; Tran PC; Lester ME; Wooden WA; Gordillo GM; Hadad I; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Oct 1
Bamba R; Tran PC; Lester ME; Wooden WA; Gordillo GM; Hadad I; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Oct 1
Evaluation of an Extended-duration Chemoprophylaxis Regimen for Venous Thromboembolism after Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Pittelkow EM; DeBrock WC; Mailey B; Ballinger TJ; Socas J; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2021 Aug 6
Pittelkow EM; DeBrock WC; Mailey B; Ballinger TJ; Socas J; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2021 Aug 6
Do Patient Expectations of Discharge Affect Length of Stay after Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for Breast Reconstruction?
Bamba R; Wiebe JE; Ingersol CA; Dawson S; Sinha M; Cohen AC; Hartman BC; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2021 Apr 14
Bamba R; Wiebe JE; Ingersol CA; Dawson S; Sinha M; Cohen AC; Hartman BC; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2021 Apr 14
The False Positive Rate of Transcutaneous Tissue Oximetry Alarms in Microvascular Breast Reconstruction Rises after 24 Hours.
Tran PC; DeBrock W; Lester ME; Hartman BC; Socas J; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2020 Oct 31
Tran PC; DeBrock W; Lester ME; Hartman BC; Socas J; Hassanein AH; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2020 Oct 31
Perioperative Use of Antiestrogen Therapies in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Treatment Recommendations.
Spera LJ; Cook JA; Dolejs S; Fisher C; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Annals of plastic surgery 2020 Oct
Spera LJ; Cook JA; Dolejs S; Fisher C; Lester ME; Hassanein AH; Annals of plastic surgery 2020 Oct
Preoperatively Identified Sarcopenia Leads to Increased Postoperative Complications, Hospital and ICU Length of Stay in Autologous Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Pittelkow EM; DeBrock WC; McLaughlin BE; Hassanein AH; Socas J; Lester ME; Duquette SP; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2019 Aug 30
Pittelkow EM; DeBrock WC; McLaughlin BE; Hassanein AH; Socas J; Lester ME; Duquette SP; Journal of reconstructive microsurgery 2019 Aug 30
American Association of Plastic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons
American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons
American Medical Association
American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Indiana State Medical Association
Indianapolis Medical Society
American Board of Plastic Surgery - Plastic Surgery
American Board of Surgery - Surgery*
Breast Cancer Reconstruction
DIEP Flap Reconstruction
PAP Flap Reconstruction
Org: Indiana University Plastic Surgery Residency
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2024-09-25
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2024-09-25
Org: Indiana University Plastic Surgery Residency
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2023-09-20
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2023-09-20
Org: Indiana University Plastic Surgery Residency
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2022-09-14
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2022-09-14
Org: Indiana University
Desc: Trustee Award
Scope: University
Date: 2022-04-20
Desc: Trustee Award
Scope: University
Date: 2022-04-20
Org: Indiana University Medical School Graduating Class 2021
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2021-05-08
Desc: Excellence in Teaching
Scope: University
Date: 2021-05-08
Org: Indiana University Plastic Surgery Graduating Class 2020
Desc: Teacher of the Year Plastic Surgery
Scope: University
Date: 2020-06-13
Desc: Teacher of the Year Plastic Surgery
Scope: University
Date: 2020-06-13
Org: Indiana University Medical School Graduating Class 2016
Desc: Teaching Excellence
Scope: University
Date: 2016-05-06
Desc: Teaching Excellence
Scope: University
Date: 2016-05-06
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