Background & Specialties

Board Certification

Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, 1991
Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1995

Professional Background

Born and raised in Boston, Dr. Rapaport studied at Boston University's Six-year Medical Program and then chose to transfer to Tel Aviv University, where he received his M.D. degree in 1985. Dr. Rapaport trained in surgery at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He trained in plastic surgery at the NYU Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, widely regarded as the nation's top plastic surgery residency program.

Dr. Rapaport completed his plastic surgery residency in 1992, and from 1993 -1997 was on the faculty of the University of South Florida, where he developed a successful and respected practice. In 1997, Dr. Rapaport and his wife decided to return to New York City, to work, live and raise their four children in the unique social and cultural environment which only New York can offer. Dr. Rapaport established his private practice and opened his Park Avenue office in 1998.

Publications and Presentations

Click Here to read a detailed biographical article about Dr. Rapaport and his background. It is important to note that the article was not solicited or paid for by Dr. Rapaport.

A Featured Speaker on FOX News's special - Under the Knife

On August 11, 2001, FOX News aired a one-hour special program, Under the Knife. Dr. Rapaport was a featured plastic surgeon on the show. He spoke about his experience treating patients referred to him with complications from cosmetic surgery performed by less experienced doctors.

He also reviewed guidelines for selecting a competent cosmetic surgeon including certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and experience in the specific procedure being requested. He emphasized the importance in choosing one's plastic surgeon carefully as it is always better to "get it right the first time".

Research History:

Sentinel lymphadenectomy techniques:

Work with Lockhead Margin and Neoprobe Corporation to develop improved (miniaturized) gamma detectors for sentinel node biopsy.

Co-Director of training sessions on sentinel lymphadenectomy techniques.

Courses given several times each year (since 1995) are attended by U.S. and international surgeons (registration $2000).

Minimal incision subcutaneous surgery:

Development of and instruction in technique for endoscopically harvesting the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Principal Investigator in prospective study comparing open versus closed saphenous harvest techniques.

Developed new minimal incision technique for groin dissection in malignant melanoma.

Development of a model for fat necrosis in the Zucker (fat) rat.

Selected Publications:

Ziv P. Rapaport DP, Dinstman M: Primary Hyperparathyroidism Associated with Panctyosis. New England Journal of Medicine 313(3), 187, 1985.

Rapaport DP, Ziv Y, Rubin M, Huminer D, Dinstman M: Primary Hyperthyroidism in Children. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 21 (5); 395 -397, 1986.

Rapaport DP, Breitbart AS, Karp NS, Siebert JW: Successful microvascular replantation of a completely amputated ear. Microsurgery 14; 312 -314, 1993.

Mogilner A, Grossman JAI, Ribary U, Joliot M, Volkmann J, Rapaport DP, Beasley RW, Llinas RR: Somatosensory cortical plasticity in adult humans revealed by magnetoencephalography. Proceedings National Academy of Science 90: 3593 -3597, 1993.

Wang X, Heller R, Cruse CW, VanVoorhis N, Glass F, Fenske N, Berman C, Leo-Messina J, Rapaport D, Wells K, DeConti R, Moscinski L, Stankard C, Puleo C, Reintgen D. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases with polymerase chain reaction in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Surg 220; 769 -774, 1994.

Reintgen D, Albertini F, Miliotes SB, Berman C, Cruse CW, Fenske N, Glass F, Puleo C, Wang X, Wells KE, Rapaport DP, DeConti R, Messina J, Heller R: The accurate staging and modern day treatment of malignant melanoma. Can Res, Therapy and Control 4; 183 -197, 1995.

Rapaport DP, Bass LS, Aston SJ: Influence of steroids on post-operative swelling after facioplasty: A prospective randomized study. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 96 (7); 1547-1552, 1995.

Heller R, Jaroszeski MJ, Glass LF, Messina JL, Rapaport DP, DeConti RC, Fenske NA, Gilbert RA, Mir LM, Reintgen DS. Phase I/II Trial for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors using electrochemotherapy. Canc 77 (5); 964 - 971, 1996.

Albertini JJ, Cruse CW, Rapaport DP, Wells K, Ross M, DeConti R, Berman CG, Jared K, Messina J, Lyman G, Glss F, Fenske N, Reintgen DS. Intraoperative radiolymphoscintigraphy improves sentinel lymph node identification for patients with melanoma. Ann Surg 223 (2); 217-224, 1996.

Rapaport DP, Stadelmann WK, Greenwald DP. Incidence and natural history of saline-filled breast implant deflations: Comparison of blunt-tipped versus cutting and tapered needles. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 100: 1028 -1032, 1997.

Stadelmann WK, Rapaport DP, Payne W, Shons AR, Krizek TK. Residency training in aesthetic surgery: maximizing the residents' experience. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 101;1973 -1977, 1998.

Selected Presentations:

Payne W, Cruse CW, Rapaport D, Wells K, Daniels S, Reintgen DS. Selective lymphadenectomy: Sentinel node biopsy in head and neck melanoma, Amer Soc of Plast and Recon Surg, 1994.

Albertini J, Milliotes G, Cruse CW, DeConti R, Rapaport D, Berman C, Glass F, Fenske N, Reintgen DS. Quality and cost outcome measurement in melanoma surgical care. Soc of Surg Oncol, Boston, 1994.

Wells K, Cruse CW, Rapaport DP, Payne W, Petsoglou C, Reintgen DS, Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma of the head and neck. Amer Soc of Plast and Recon Surg, 1995.

Rapaport DP, Albertini J, Cruse CW, et, Al.: Identification of the sentinel node in melanoma patients using radiolymphoscintigraphy and vital blue dye. 18th Ann Sem of Canc Res in FL, Amer Canc Soc, FL Div, Orlando, Mar 1995.

Albertini J, Cruse CW, Rapaport DP, Wells K, DeConti R, Lyman G, Glass F, Messina J, Berman C, Jared K, Reintgen D. Identification of the sentinel node in melanoma patients using radiolymphoscintigraphy and vital blue dye injection. Amer Soc of Plast and Recon Surg, 1995.

Rapaport DP, Stadelmann W. Malignant melanoma: Advances in evaluation and treatment. ASPRS 65th An Sci Mtg. Dallas, TX. Rapaport DP, Stadelmann W. Malignant melanoma: Advances in evaluation and treatment. ASPRS 66th An Sci Mtg. San Francisco, CA. Rapaport DP, Stadelmann W. Malignant melanoma: Advances in evaluation and treatment. ASPRS 67th An Sci Mtg. Boston, MA. Chapters:

Rapaport DP, Stadelmann W, Reintgen DS. Groin dissection. Balch, Cutaneous Melanoma: 3rd edition, 1998

Stadelmann W, Rapaport DP, Reintgen DS. Prognostic factors in melanoma. Balch, Cutaneous Melanoma: 3rd edition, 1998

Rapaport DP, Stadelmann W. Current management of malignant melanoma. Manuscript in preparation.

Grants:

Ethicon Research Grant, "Minimally Invasive Harvesting of Saphenous Vein Grafts for Coronary Artery Bypass Operations", 1995, $20,000, $60,000

In addition to his wealth of cosmetic surgery experience, Dr. Rapaport has developed a national reputation in the treatment of melanoma, and has authored numerous articles and chapters in these fields. He has pioneered work in endoscopic techniques of treating melanoma and an endoscopic technique for the harvesting of saphenous veins in coronary artery bypass surgery, thereby reducing risk and speeding recovery.