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Jonathan I. Leckenby, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.

Jonathan I. Leckenby, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.

he/him/his

Contact

Call Center (585) 276-3000

Research Lab

About Me

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Surgery, Plastic Surgery (SMD)

Assistant Professor - Department of Neuroscience (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Awards

CMSR Discovery Award. 2021 - 2022

W.G. Stuber Fellowship. 2020 - 2021

Pilot Project of the CMSR P30 Center Grant. 2019 - 2020

Wissenschaftpreis. 2016 - 2016

BAPRAS Aesthetic Prize. 2016

Martin Kelly Prize. 2012

Research

Dr. Leckenby was educated at Eton College, Windsor UK and completed his undergraduate bachelor's degree in basic medical science and advanced human anatomy at King's College, London. After studying at St. Georges Hospital Medical School, University of London he graduated in 2006 and completed his j...
Dr. Leckenby was educated at Eton College, Windsor UK and completed his undergraduate bachelor's degree in basic medical science and advanced human anatomy at King's College, London. After studying at St. Georges Hospital Medical School, University of London he graduated in 2006 and completed his junior surgical training in London. Dr. Leckenby began his specialist training in plastic surgery at the Royal Free Hospital, London in 2011 under the guidance of Professor Adriaan Grobbelaar where he was introduced to the highly specialized area of facial palsy surgery and developed a passion for learning the skills required to treat this challenging patient population. Dr. Leckenby secured funding to study the process of nerve regeneration formally and worked in Professor Jeff Lichtman's lab at Harvard University as a Visiting Scholar, collecting data for his PhD postdoctoral thesis.

Dr. Leckenby pursued a further two years of sub-specialist training in facial palsy surgery and complex reconstructive microsurgery at Inselspital University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. As part of the research team, he secured a Department of Defense grant to analyze the role the lymphatic system plays in vascularized composite allotransplantation in an effort to minimize immunosuppression requirements in face transplantation and was awarded the Swiss National Research Prize in 2016.

In 2017, having passed his European plastic surgery board examinations (EBOPRAS), Dr. Leckenby returned to London to complete a senior microsurgery fellowship concentrating on the treatment of facial paralysis. Under the mentorship of Professor Grobbelaar, he worked to publish on the topic widely and has helped pioneer a new technique for the reanimation of the paralyzed eye by transplanting one of the thinnest muscles in the body, the platysma. Dr. Leckenby joined the University of Rochester in May 2018 to establish a laboratory investigating peripheral and spinal nerve regeneration with three-dimensional electron microscopy. Ultimately, the aim is to take the lessons learned in the laboratory and translate the results into better outcomes for our patients; truly taking science from the bench to the bedside.

Publications

Journal Articles

Free functional platysma transfer for restoration of spontaneous eye closure in facial paralysis: an analysis of anatomy, imaging, and clinical outcomes.

Leckenby JI, Patel AU, Patel S, Rahman AA, Haque S, Grobbelaar AO

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2022 December 20 Epub 12/20/2022.

Evaluation of peripheral nerve regeneration in Murphy Roths Large mouse strain following transection injury.

Milek D, Echternacht SR, LaGuardia J, LaBarge D, Turpin L, Grobbelaar A, Leckenby JI

Regenerative medicine.. 2022 October 18 Epub 10/18/2022.

A Systematic Review of the Reported Complications Related to Facial and Upper Extremity Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.

Milek D, Reed LT, Echternacht SR, Shanmugarajah K, Cetrulo CL, Lellouch AG, Langstein HN, Leckenby JI

The Journal of surgical research.. 2022 September 23281 :164-175. Epub 09/23/2022.

Transcutaneous sentinel lymph node detection in cutaneous melanoma with indocyanine green and near-infrared fluorescence: A diagnostic sensitivity study.

Lese I, Constantinescu MA, Leckenby JI, Zubler C, Alberts I, Hunger RE, Wartenberg J, Olariu R

Medicine.. 2022 September 9101 (36):e30424. Epub 1900 01 01.

20 Years of Abdominal Wall Allotransplantation - A Systematic Review of the Short and Long-Term Outcomes with a View to Future Modifications.

Reed LT, Echternacht SR, Shanmugarajah K, Hernandez R, Langstein HN, Leckenby JI

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2022 September 1 Epub 09/01/2022.

Axonal Regeneration Through Autologous Grafts: Does the Axonal Load Influence Regeneration?

Leckenby JI, Chacon MA, Milek D, Lichtman JW, Grobbelaar AO

The Journal of surgical research.. 2022 August 26280 :379-388. Epub 08/26/2022.

Abdominal Wall Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation: A Scoping Review.

Bustos VP, Escandón JM, Santamaría E, Ciudad P, Forte AJ, Hernandez-Alejandro R, Leckenby JI, Langstein HN, Manrique OJ

Journal of reconstructive microsurgery.. 2021 December 14 Epub 12/14/2021.

Evolution and Transformation of Uterine Transplantation: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques and Outcomes.

Escandón JM, Bustos VP, Santamaría E, Langstein HN, Ciudad P, Hernandez-Alejandro R, Moore RG, Leckenby JI, Manrique OJ

Journal of reconstructive microsurgery.. 2021 September 17 Epub 09/17/2021.

Presence of Donor Lymph Nodes Within Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Ameliorates VEGF-C-mediated Lymphangiogenesis and Delays the Onset of Acute Rejection.

Olariu R, Tsai C, Abd El Hafez M, Milusev A, Banz Y, Lese I, Leckenby JI, Constantinescu M, Rieben R, Vögelin E, Taddeo A

Transplantation.. 2021 August 1105 (8):1747-1759. Epub 1900 01 01.

Central versus peripheral nervous system regeneration: is there an exception for cranial nerves?

Echternacht SR, Chacon MA, Leckenby JI

Regenerative medicine.. 2021 June 2 Epub 06/02/2021.

Emerging Electron Microscopy and 3D Methodologies to Interrogate Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis in Murine Models.

de Mesy Bentley KL, Galloway CA, Muthukrishnan G, Echternacht SR, Masters EA, Zeiter S, Schwarz EM, Leckenby JI

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2020 December 30 Epub 12/30/2020.

Reply: A retrospective case series reporting the outcomes of Avance nerve allografts in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Leckenby JI, Vögelin E

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2020 November 5 Epub 11/05/2020.

Regional Lymphatic Inclusion in Orthotopic Hindlimb Transplantation: Establishment and Assessment of Feasibility in a Rodent Model.

Lese I, Leclère FM, Gayanayake T, Taddeo A, Leckenby JI, Banz Y, Constantinescu MA, Vögelin E, Olariu R

Transplantation direct.. 2020 September 6 (9):e592. Epub 08/12/2020.

Pretest and Posttest Evaluation of a Longitudinal, Residency-Integrated Microsurgery Course.

Chacon MA, Myers PL, Patel AU, Mitchell DC, Langstein HN, Leckenby JI

Annals of plastic surgery.. 2020 March 19 Epub 03/19/2020.

A Retrospective Case Series Reporting the Outcomes of Avance Nerve Allografts in the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

Leckenby JI, Furrer C, Haug L, Juon Personeni B, Vögelin E

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2020 February 145 (2):368e-381e. Epub 1900 01 01.

A retrospective case series reporting the outcomes of Avance nerve allografts in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Leckenby JI, Furrer C, Haug L, Juon Personeni B, Vögelin E

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2019 November 25 Epub 11/25/2019.

Lymph node identification in skin malignancy using indocyanine green transcutaneously study: Study protocol for a diagnostic accuracy study.

Lese I, Leckenby JI, Taddeo A, Constantinescu M, Olariu R

Medicine.. 2019 November 98 (44):e17839. Epub 1900 01 01.

Outcome measures of facial nerve regeneration: A review of murine model systems.

Chacon MA, Echternacht SR, Leckenby JI

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft.. 2019 August 5 :151410. Epub 08/05/2019.

Imaging Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A New Technique for 3D Visualization of Axonal Behavior.

Lichtman JW, Grobbelaar AO, Chacon MA, Leckenby JI

The Journal of surgical research.. 2019 May 11242 :207-213. Epub 05/11/2019.

Development of the Interscutularis Model as an Outcome Measure for Facial Nerve Surgery.

Grobbelaar AO, Lichtman JW, Rolfe K, Chacon MA, Leckenby JI

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft.. 2019 March 22 Epub 03/22/2019.

Local Injections of Tacrolimus-loaded Hydrogel Reduce Systemic Immunosuppression-related Toxicity in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.

Dzhonova DV, Olariu R, Leckenby J, Banz Y, Prost JC, Dhayani A, Vemula PK, Voegelin E, Taddeo A, Rieben R

Transplantation.. 2018 October 102 (10):1684-1694. Epub 1900 01 01.

Complex Reconstruction After Sarcoma Resection and the Role of the Plastic Surgeon: A Case Series of 298 Patients Treated at a Single Center.

Leckenby JI, Deegan R, Grobbelaar AO

Annals of plastic surgery.. 2018 January 80 (1):59-63. Epub 1900 01 01.

Local release of tacrolimus from hydrogel-based drug delivery system is controlled by inflammatory enzymes in vivo and can be monitored non-invasively using in vivo imaging.

Dzhonova D, Olariu R, Leckenby J, Dhayani A, Vemula PK, Prost JC, Banz Y, Taddeo A, Rieben R

PloS one.. 2018 13 (8):e0203409. Epub 08/30/2018.

Strategies for Soft-Tissue Management of Complex Joint Revision Arthroplasty: A 10-Year Experience.

Leckenby JI, Grobbelaar AO

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2016 December 138 (6):1344-1351. Epub 1900 01 01.

Poly Implant Prothèse™ (PIP) experience in the United Kingdom: A prospective cohort study into the accuracy of diagnostic imaging findings in comparison to operative findings of 1029 implants.

Leckenby J, Chana J, Harrison D, Grobbelaar A

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2016 April 69 (4):446-51. Epub 02/03/2016.

Botulinum Toxin Therapy versus Anterior Belly of Digastric Transfer in the Management of Marginal Mandibular Branch of the Facial Nerve Palsy: A Patient Satisfaction Survey.

Butler DP, Leckenby JI, Miranda BH, Grobbelaar AO

Archives of plastic surgery.. 2015 November 42 (6):735-40. Epub 11/16/2015.

Reanimation of the brow and eye in facial paralysis: Review of the literature and personal algorithmic approach.

Leckenby JI, Ghali S, Butler DP, Grobbelaar AO

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2015 May 68 (5):603-14. Epub 01/09/2015.

Is there an ideal outcome scoring system for facial reanimation surgery? A review of current methods and suggestions for future publications.

Niziol R, Henry FP, Leckenby JI, Grobbelaar AO

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2015 April 68 (4):447-56. Epub 12/24/2014.

The axillary approach to raising the latissimus dorsi free flap for facial re-animation: a descriptive surgical technique.

Leckenby J, Butler D, Grobbelaar A

Archives of plastic surgery.. 2015 January 42 (1):73-7. Epub 01/14/2015.

The incidence of facial vessel agenesis in patients with syndromic congenital facial palsy.

Butler DP, Henry FP, Leckenby JI, Grobbelaar AO

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2014 December 134 (6):955e-8e. Epub 1900 01 01.

An algorithm to guide recipient vessel selection in cases of free functional muscle transfer for facial reanimation.

Henry FP, Leckenby JI, Butler DP, Grobbelaar AO

Archives of plastic surgery.. 2014 November 41 (6):716-21. Epub 11/03/2014.

Static support in the facial palsy patient: a case series of 51 patients using tensor fascia lata slings as the sole treatment for correcting the position of the mouth.

Leckenby JI, Harrison DH, Grobbelaar AO

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2014 March 67 (3):350-7. Epub 12/27/2013.

Smile restoration for permanent facial paralysis.

Leckenby J, Grobbelaar A

Archives of plastic surgery.. 2013 September 40 (5):633-8. Epub 09/13/2013.

The use of a free vascularised fibula to reconstruct the radius following the resection of an osteosarcoma in a paediatric patient.

Leckenby JI, Grobbelaar AO, Aston W

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.. 2013 March 66 (3):427-9. Epub 09/01/2012.

Analysis of cosmetic results of metopic synostosis: concordance and interobserver variability.

Anand A, Campion NJ, Cheshire J, Haigh T, Leckenby J, Nishikawa H, White N

The Journal of craniofacial surgery.. 2013 January 24 (1):304-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

'Oxford Case Histories in Plastic Surgery (2016)

Chapter: Hemi-Facial Paralysis

Authors: Leckenby, JI. Grobbelaar, AO.

Publisher: Oxford University Press 2016

Oxford Case Histories in Plastic Surgery (2016)

Chapter: Bilateral Facial Paralysis

Authors: Leckenby, JI. Grobbelaar, AO.

Publisher: Oxford University Press 2016

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2015)

Chapter: Facial Reanimation

Authors: Leckenby, JI. Grobbelaar, AO

Publisher: Wiley Publishers 2015