Dr. Salvatore Pacella is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in San Diego, California, recognized for his expertise in aesthetic facial surgery, eyelid surgery, breast reconstruction, and complex reconstructive procedures. He serves as Professor of Surgery and Division Head of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Scripps Clinic Plastic Surgery, where he leads one of Southern California’s premier plastic surgery programs.

Dr. Pacella completed extensive training in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has built a reputation for combining technical precision with an artistic approach to patient care. Over the course of his career, he has developed particular expertise in complex eyelid surgery, facial rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction following cancer treatment, abdominal wall reconstruction, and revisionary aesthetic surgery. He is especially well known for his work in aesthetic facial reconstruction after Mohs surgery and for treating difficult periocular and eyelid conditions.

A respected educator and academic surgeon, Dr. Pacella has authored numerous scientific publications, textbook chapters, and invited articles in the field of plastic surgery. He is the author of the acclaimed textbook Aesthetic Facial Reconstruction After Mohs Surgery, which received recognition from the British Medical Association. He also serves in editorial leadership roles for leading plastic surgery journals, including as a Section Editor for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, and has been recognized among the journal’s top peer reviewers for his contributions to academic plastic surgery.

Nationally and internationally, Dr. Pacella is frequently invited to lecture on advanced reconstructive and aesthetic techniques. He has extensive experience with modern approaches to breast reconstruction, including implant-based reconstruction, acellular dermal matrix utilization, and complex revisional procedures after radiation therapy. In addition, he has become recognized for his expertise in abdominal wall reconstruction and biologic mesh applications, serving as a key opinion leader and educator for emerging surgical technologies.

Beyond his clinical and academic accomplishments, Dr. Pacella is deeply committed to patient-centered care and surgical education. He is known for emphasizing honest communication, individualized treatment planning, and meticulous surgical execution. Patients from across Southern California and beyond seek his expertise for both cosmetic and reconstructive concerns, particularly in facial rejuvenation and eyelid surgery.

Dr. Pacella is also active in professional leadership and media education. He frequently contributes expert commentary on plastic surgery topics and has appeared in television and podcast interviews discussing aesthetic surgery, reconstructive innovation, and emerging trends in medicine. Through his work, he continues to advance the fields of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery while mentoring the next generation of surgeons and delivering compassionate, high-level care to his patients.