Curriculum Vitae

Holger G. Gassner, M.D.

Dr. Holger G. Gassner is regarded as an internationally recognized expert in facial plastic and aesthetic surgery. He has acclaimed global recognition in endonasal rhinoplasty and Deep Plane Face Lift procedures. He is the only facial plastic surgeon in Europe who was trained and board-certified in the United States (“Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon”, ABFPRS).

Dr. Gassner regularly lectures as an invited speaker at renowned international congresses. He presents his innovative techniques in endonasal rhinoplasty, endoscopic and deep plane face lift surgery, blepharoplasty, otoplasty and endoscopic removal of forehead lesions. Dr. Gassner cooperates closely with Dr. Neil Gordon and, as one of only a few surgeons worldwide, performs a Non-Delaminating Deep Plane Face Lift using the Gordon technique.

An important focus of his work are strategies of avoiding complications and achieving natural, non-operated appearing results. At surgical courses, Dr. Gassner demonstrates procedures for educational purposes to audiences, including rhinoplasties, eyelid surgeries, and face lift operations. In addition to the common primary surgeries — for example, rhinoplasty or face lift — Dr. Gassner is recognized for performing difficult revision surgeries. His patients are referred internationally.

Professor Gassner directed the division of facial plastic surgery of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Chair Dr. C. Bohr) of the University of Regensburg, Germany for 10 years.

In 2017, Dr. Gassner opened the “Finesse Center” for facial plastic surgery in Regensburg. In this state-of-the-art center, Dr. Gassner offers surgical and medical procedures to rejuvenate the face, to achieve aesthetic corrections, to correct airway obstruction and to reconstruct facial defects.

Professor Gassner is fully licensed as a Board – certified Otolarnygologist / Head and Neck Surgeon in both Germany and the USA. He completed his full specialist training during an 8-year period at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, USA. Subsequently, he completed fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (Fellowship of the AAFPRS) under the direction of Professor Wayne F. Larrabee Jr., Professor Craig Murakami, and Professor Kris S. Moe at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA.

Dr. Gassner is Past President of the European Board for Certification in Facial Plastic Surgery (EBCFPRS), which is responsible for the examination and certification of facial plastic surgeons in Europe. He directs the reputable annual courses in Rhinoplasty Surgery and in Face Lift Surgery in Regensburg since 2009, which attract attendees from all over the world.

Memberships

Evidence Based Rhinoplasty Research Group (EBRRG)
Rhinoplasty Society of Europe (RSE)
European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (EAFPS)
European Board for Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (EBCFPRS)
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie (DGFHNO)
Gesellschaft für ästhetische Chirurgie Deutschland (GACD)
American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Education

Studies: Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Doctoral thesis: “Further development and validation of a measurement setup with simulation measurements for the non-invasive quantification of nasal filtration capacity” (Prof. Dr. med. G. Rettinger).
Research Activities: Research Fellowship, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. July 1998 – October 1999
Specialist Training: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (1 year, Prof. Dr. H. Iro) Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo College of Medicine (5 years) Specialist in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Bavarian State Medical Association, BLAEK) Specialist in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (American College of Otorhinolaryngology, ABOTO) European Board of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (EBEORL)
Additional Training: Fellowship of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPRS), Department of Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, under the direction of W.F. Larrabee Jr., Craig S. Murakami, and Kris S. Moe. Additional qualification: "Plastic Surgery" (Bavarian State Medical Association, BLAEK) Additional qualification: "Facial Plastic Surgery / Board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon (American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ABFPRS)," recognized according to §27 of the Professional Code of Conduct by the Bavarian State Medical Association
Licensure:
- Washington, USA
- Germany
Associate Professorship Thesis: “Treatment of facial wounds by chemo-immobilization with botulinum toxin”, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Regensburg (Oct. 2008, Prof. Dr. med. J. Strutz).
Professorship: “Reconstructive and Plastic Head and Neck Surgery”, University of Regensburg

Awards

“Ben Schuster Award” for the most outstanding publication in the field of facial reconstructive surgery in the year 2000, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2000.
Mayo Clinic Stiftung Fellowship, 2003, 2004, 2005
“Ben Schuster Award” for the most outstanding publication in the field of facial reconstructive surgery in the year 2006, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2006.
“Sir Harold Delf Gillies” Award for the best basic science fellowship paper in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007.

Innovations

Professor Gassner is considered a pioneer of various surgical techniques.
"The endonasal complete release approach" describes a new concept for the endonasal approach to the nasal tip. Its advantages include avoiding the incision at the base of the nose, as well as preserving a more natural, softer nasal tip. This technique also avoids cutting the important alar cartilages of the nasal tip. Professor Gassner is regularly invited to speak on this technique at prestigious international congresses. At the largest congress for facial plastic surgery (AAFPRS Fall Meeting), he will be teaching a course together with Professor Norman Pastorek from New York City on the topic of endonasal correction of the nasal tip.
"The stairstep graft" for correcting nasal valve narrowing describes a new method for widening the narrowest point of the nasal opening. This is frequently affected when nasal breathing persists after a previous surgery. Professor Gassner also lectures internationally on this technique. It has been incorporated into review presentations and adopted by other centers.
"The foundation graft" describes a technique for correcting cleft noses. Patients who underwent surgery for a cleft lip and palate as children often suffer from deformities of the external and internal nose as adults. Professor Gassner describes the "foundation graft" technique for reconstructing the bony skeleton of the nasal base on the cleft side. Professor Gassner also lectures on this technique at international conferences. The technique is already being used in leading international centers.
"The buccinator – SMAS fusion" is an important anatomical description of the facelift anatomy. It reveals crucial mechanisms, especially those of sub-SMAS and deep facelift techniques. Professor Gassner, along with Professor Wayne Larrabee, lectures on this topic at international courses and conferences.
"The Fillet Technique": Professor Gassner has described an innovative technique for correcting the earlobe during ear correction surgery. This involves releasing all soft tissue insertions of the earlobe and reshaping it into a natural form. This technique has been presented at numerous conferences, and the results have been confirmed through a follow-up examination of 100 patients. This technique is also being used in other centers.
"Prelamination of the forehead flap" has profoundly changed the reconstruction of nasal defects. Professor Gassner is considered one of the world's leading experts in this field. The prelamination technique simplifies the operation, reduces complications, and makes the results more reliable. This technique has become established in top international centers, such as Johns Hopkins and Baylor College.
"Chemoimmobilization of facial wounds with botulinum toxin": Prof. Gassner first described the pharmacological immobilization of healing wounds through the injection of botulinum toxin. This work stimulated further studies, including randomized clinical trials. Important review articles confirm the technique and recommend its use. The injection of botulinum toxin aims to improve wound healing and thus reduce scarring, for example, of facial wounds.

Book Contributions

Boahene, Gassner, Harrison (Eds.): Diagnosis and management of the Paralyzed Eyelid, G&B Publishers, 2026
Gassner, Larrabee, Walsh. The Art and Craft of Facial Plastic Surgery – A Surgical Atlas. People´s Medical Publishing House – USA, Shelton, CN, 2013.
Gassner HG, Congdon D, Kern EB. Surgical anatomy of the nose. Dissektionshandbuch, 15th biennial comprehensive course in rhinology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, Nov 1999
Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Moore EJ. Dissektionshandbuch, 17th biennial comprehensive course in rhinology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, Oct 2003
Gassner HG, Sabri AN, Olsen KD. Malignant neoplasms of the oropharynx. In: Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cummings (Ed.), St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 4th Ed., 2005
Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Kern EB. Dissektionshandbuch, 18th biennial comprehensive course in rhinology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, Aug 2005
Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Friedman O. Rhinology for the Facial Plastic Surgeon. In: Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Ira D. Papel (Ed.), 3rd edition, 2008
Gassner HG, Moe KS. Injuries of the facial nerve. In: Complications of head and neck surgery, Eisele D. (Ed). Mosby-Year Book; 3rd edition, 2009
Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Moe KS, Friedman O. The Role of Botulinum Toxin in Wound Healing. In: Botulinum Toxin, Jankovic (Ed.), Elsevier, 2008
Gassner HG, Friedman O. Scar Revision Surgery. In: Atlas of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Byrne P. (Ed). St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1st Ed., in press 2009
Gassner HG, Strutz J. Plastische und rekonstruktive Gesichtschirurgie. In: Praxis der HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Strutz, Mann (Hrsgb.), Thieme, 2. Auflage, 2009

Scientific Publications

The "Segmental SMAS Model": A Didactic Concept of Face and Neck Lift Anatomy. Gassner HG, Magdum AA, Hanga D. Facial Plast Surg. 2020 Aug;36(4):337-350
The Limits of Evidence in Rhinoplasty. Gassner HG, Ordonez F, Nunes R. Facial Plast Surg. 2023 Aug;39(4):327-332. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1766100. Epub 2023 Apr 6.
Minimally invasive techniques in rhinoplasty. Gassner HG, Magdum AA, Tasman AJ. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Aug;28(4):218-227
Finesse in Caucasian Endonasal Rhinoplasty: The S.O.F.T. Concept. Gassner HG. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2020 Apr;53(2):213-235. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2019.12.006. Epub 2020 Feb 6.
Quality of life after functional aesthetic septorhinoplasty Gassner HG. HNO. 2019 Mar;67(3):190-191. doi: 10.1007/s00106-019-0616-8
Teaching Facial Plastic Surgery. Tasman AJ, Gassner HG. Facial Plast Surg. 2018 Aug;34(4):341-342. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1667136.
Nuances in component nasal hump reduction. Sadick H, Rowe-Jones JM, Gassner HG. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2018 Feb;71(2):178-184
Technique in Cleft Rhinoplasty: The Foundation Graft. Gassner HG, Schwan F, Haubner F, Suárez GA, Vielsmeier V. Facial Plast Surg. 2016 Apr;32(2):213-8
Narrowing and Operated Appearance of the Middle Nasal Third after Hump Resection without Middle Vault Reconstruction. Tasman AJ, Gassner HG. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jun 1;147(6):1310-1318
The use of botulinum toxin A in perioral rejuvenation. Kaplan SE, Sherris DA, Gassner HG, Friedman O. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2007 Nov;15(4):415-21
Plastische Rekonstruktion einfacher und komplexer Nasendefekte. Sadick H, Gassner HG. Laryngorhinootologie. 2017 Sep;96(9):628-652. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-104093. Epub 2017 Sep
Minimal-invasive Chirurgie der vorderen Schädelbasis: Transorbitale Zugänge. Gassner HG, Schebesch KM. HNO. 2016 Nov;64(11):809-815. doi: 10.1007/s00106-016-0234-0. PMID: 27453759.
Orbital compartment: effects of emergent canthotomy and cantholysis. Haubner F, Jägle H, Nunes DP, Schleder S, Cvetkova N, Kühnel T, Gassner HG. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jun;102(6):843-847. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310815. PMID: 29074506.
Potenzial adipogener Stammzellen bei radiogenen Wundheilungsstörungen. Haubner F, Gassner HG. HNO. 2018 Apr;66(4):252-258. doi: 10.1007/s00106-017-0435-2. PMID: 29322239.
Platelet-rich plasma stimulates dermal microvascular endothelial cells and adipose derived stem cells after external radiation. Haubner F, Muschter D, Schuster N, Pohl F, Ahrens N, Prantl L, Gassner HG. J Cranio-Maxillofac Surg. 2018 Jul;46(7):1151-1157. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2018.04.016. PMID: 29716738.
Endoscopic Forehead Approach for Minimally Invasive Benign Tumor Excisions. Sadick H, Huber M, Perkins SW, Waters HH, Hamilton GS, O'Reilly AG, Gassner HG. Facial Plast Surg. 2016 Jun;32(3):288-294. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1582235. PMID: 27206791.
Effects of botulinum toxin A on patient-specific keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Haubner F, Leyh M, Ohmann E, Sadick H, Gassner HG. PLoS One. 2015 Aug 28;10(8):e0135403. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135403. PMID: 26317657.
Preformed titanium cranioplasty after resection of skull base meningiomas - a technical note. Schebesch KM, Höhne J, Gassner HG, Brawanski A. Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2010 Aug;71(3):158-161. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1246183. PMID: 20101561.
Prelamination to reconstruct internal nasal lining. Gassner HG, Sadick H, Haubner F, Artinger V, Kühnel TS. Facial Plast Surg. 2016 Jun;32(3):300-305. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1582237. PMID: 27206793
Safety Approach to Otoplasty: A Surgical Algorithm. Nunes D, Haubner F, Kuehnel T, Gassner HG. Facial Plast Surg. 2015 Jun;31(3):308-14.
The stairstep graft: an alternative technique in nasal valve surgery. Gassner HG, Maneschi P, Haubner F. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014 Nov-Dec;16(6):440-3.
Correcting the lobule in otoplasty using the fillet technique. Sadick H, Artinger VM, Haubner F, Gassner HG. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;16(1):49-54.
Endoscopic forehead approach for minimally invasive benign tumor excisions. Sadick H, Huber M, Perkins SW, Waters HH, Hamilton GS 3rd, O’Reilly AG, Gassner HG. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014 Sep-Oct;16(5):352-8.
Nasal Tip Recontouring in Primary Rhinoplasty – The Endonasal Complete Release Approach. Gassner HG, Mueller-Vogt U, Kuehnel T, Strutz J. Arch Fac Plast Surg, 2012 Nov.
Botulinum toxin to minimize facial scarring. Jablonka EM, Sherris DA, Gassner HG. Facial Plast Surg. 2012 Oct;28(5):525-35.
Structural grafts and suture techniques in functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty. Gassner HG. GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;9:Doc01. Epub 2011 Apr 27.
Minimally invasive surgery of the anterior skull base: transorbital approaches. Gassner HG, Schebesch KM. Laryngorhinootologie. 2015 Mar;94 Suppl 1:S288-305. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1398644. Epub 2015 Apr 10
Botulinum toxin-induced immobilization of lower facial wounds. Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Friedman O. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009 Mar-Apr;11(2):140-2
Surgical Anatomy of the Face: Implications for Modern Face-lift Techniques. Gassner HG, Rafii A, Young A, Murakami C, Moe KS, Larrabee WF Jr.. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2008 Jan-Feb;10(1):9-19.
The use of botulinum toxin A in perioral rejuvenation. Kaplan SE, Sherris DA, Gassner HG, Friedman O. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2007 Nov;15(4):415-21, v-vi.
Lateral retrocanthal orbitotomy: a minimally invasive, canthussparing approach. Moe KS, Jothi S, Stern R, Gassner HG. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2007 Nov-Dec;9(6):419-26.
An alternative method of middle vault reconstruction. Gassner HG, Friedman O, Sherris DA, Kern EB. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2006 Nov-Dec;8(6):432-5.
Treatment of facial lacerations with botulinum toxin A improves cosmetic outcome: A prospective, blinded trial. Gassner HG, Brissett AE, Sherris DA, Boggust A, Boahene KD, Weaver AE, Otley CC. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Aug;81(8):1023-8.
Effects of the nasal musculature on the nasal airway. Kienstra MA, Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Kern EB. Am J Rhinol. 2005 Jul-Aug;19(4):375-81.
Chemoimmobilization: Improving predictability in the treatment of facial scars. Gassner HG, Sherris DA. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Oct; 112(5): 1464-6.
A grading system for nasal dorsal deformities. Kienstra MA, Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Kern EB. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2003 Mar-Apr; 5(2): 138-43.
Botulinum toxin to minimize facial scarring. Sherris DA, Gassner HG. Facial Plast Surg. 2002 Feb;18(1):35-9.
Quantitative study of nasal tip support and the effect of reconstructive rhinoplasty. Gassner HG, Remington WJ, Sherris DA. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2001 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 178-84.
Addition of anesthetic agent enhances the predictability of botulinum toxin injections. Gassner HG, Sherris DA. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2000 Jul; 75(7): 701-4.
Immobilization of facial wounds with botulinum toxin A improves cosmetic outcome… Gassner HG, Sherris DA, Otley CC. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2000 May;105(6):1948-53; discussion 1954-5.

Lectures

Professor Gassner, an internationally recognized expert, regularly lectures at prestigious congresses on topics such as rhinoplasty, facelift techniques, eyelid correction, and other related subjects. He has already given over 1,000 lectures on these topics. He also regularly demonstrates surgical techniques as a supervising surgeon at international surgical courses.

Events

Professor Gassner regularly organizes congresses and surgical courses on rhinoplasty, facelifts, eyelid surgery, otoplasty, reconstructive surgery, Botox, fillers, and more. To date, over 20 events have taken place with a total of over 2,000 participants. Attendees travel from all continents; live surgeries are broadcast from the clinic to the lecture hall, and anatomical dissection exercises are held at the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Regensburg. Further information can be found at www.facial-plastic-surgery.eu.

Positions

President of the European Board for Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (EBCFPRS). The EBCFPRS is responsible for the examination and certification of facial plastic surgeons in Europe.
Board member (treasurer), International Board for Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Board member, Working Group for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Head and Neck Surgery of the German ENT Society.
Examiner, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
Reviewer in various specialist journals (JAMA, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology)

Surgical Spectrum

Cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty)
Facelift (all established techniques)
Endoscopic Face Lift
Endoscopic forehead lift
Lipostructure (Coleman technique)
Reanimation surgery after facial nerve paralysis
Cosmetic reconstruction of complex facial defects
Otoplasty and auricular reconstruction
Skin cancer surgery
Blepharoplasty and reconstructive eyelid surgery

Imprint

Please refer to the German imprint for legally applicable information.
Prof. Gassner practices privately at the “Finesse Center”, Fröhliche Türken – Strasse 8, 93047 Regensburg, and at the branch office of Prof. Dr. Haubner, Dr. Arnold and colleagues, Tal 34, 80331 Munich.
Country: Germany
Medical Association: Bavarian State Medical Association, Mühlbauerstr. 16, 81677 Munich
Legal professional title: Physician
Professional regulations: Professional code of conduct for physicians in Bavaria of the Bavarian State Medical Association
Additional designation: Effective February 3, 2011, Prof. Dr. Holger Gassner was granted the authorization by the Bavarian State Medical Association to use the designations “Facial Plastic Surgery / Plastic Surgery of the Face (USA)”.
Professor Gassner is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon (ABFPRS), trained and certified in the USA. This designation was not obtained in Bavaria and therefore not under the regulated postgraduate medical training regulations for physicians in Bavaria, but rather as an alternative qualification according to Section 27 of the Professional Code of Conduct for Physicians in Bavaria. Furthermore, Professor Gassner holds the additional qualification "Plastic Surgery," acquired by the Bavarian State Medical Association (BLAEK).

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