The Buncke Clinic

Rudolf Buntic, MD

Bio

Dr. Rudy Buntic is a board-certified plastic, hand, and microsurgeon from Canada. His practice focuses on reconstructive microsurgery, particularly for traumatic injuries and cancer-related defects, using the most advanced techniques with patients’ own tissues whenever possible. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of multiple professional societies, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Association for Hand Surgery, and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Buntic has published extensively on a wide range of topics in plastic, hand, and microsurgery.

Board Certification

Plastic Surgery	American Board of Plastic Surgery
Hand Surgery	American Board of Plastic Surgery

Academic Bio

Dr. Buntic is the hand and microsurgery fellowship director at The Buncke Clinic. He did his post-graduate residency training in general and plastic surgery at Stanford University. He did a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at Davies Medical Center in San Francisco with Harry and Gregory Buncke. Dr. Buntic is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is board certified in the Subspecialty of Surgery of the Hand by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr Buntic is an Associate Professor Affiliated in Plastic Surgery at Stanford and on the Clinical Faculty of the University of California. He is a member of several societies, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. Dr. Buntic has published scientific articles, book chapters and presented at national meetings related to a wide variety of plastic, hand and microsurgery topics.

Academic Affiliations

Fellowship Director, Hand and Microsurgery	The Buncke Clinic
Adjunct Clinical Professor	Department of Surgery	Division of Plastic Surgery	Stanford University School of Medicine
Assistant Clinical Professor (Volunteer)	UCSF Medical School

Societies

Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
Member, American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons
Member, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member, American Society of Gender Surgeons
Fellow, American College of Surgeons

Education

Type	School	Degree
Undergraduate	Harvard University Biochemistry	A.B.
Professional Medical	McGill University	M.D.
Residency	Stanford University General Surgery	Resident
Residency	Stanford University Plastic Surgery	Resident
Fellowship	The Buncke Clinic Hand and Microsurgery	Fellow

Selected Recent Publications

Extended vs Inpatient Chemoprophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Hinson C, Sink M, Buntic R, Safa B, Sammer D, Zhang A, Pannucci C, Odobescu A. Aesthetic surgery journal. V: , , 2025.
The Use of Pedicular Arteriovenous Fistula (PAVF) in Microvascular Reconstruction to Enhance Flow Across the Microvascular Anastomoses. Odobescu A, Basagaoglu B, Dogaroiu A, Buntic R, Zhang A, Safa B. Microsurgery. V: 44, e31252, 2024.
Usability of Nerve Tape: A Novel Sutureless Nerve Coaptation Device. Eberlin K, Safa B, Buntic R, Rekant M, Richard M, Styron J, Bendale G, Isaacs J. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 49, 346-353, 2024.
Phalloplasty Flap Salvage Using a Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Propeller Flap. Rochlin D, Lin W, Reitz R, Chen M, Buntic R, Watt A, Safa B. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 12, e5522, 2024.
Etiology and treatment of cancer-related secondary lymphedema. Bernas M, Al-Ghadban S, Thiadens S, Ashforth K, Lin W, Safa B, Buntic R, Paukshto M, Rovnaya A, McNeely M. Clinical & experimental metastasis. V: 41, 525-548, 2024.
Approach to Lymphedema Management. Lin W, Safa B, Buntic R. Seminars in plastic surgery. V: 36, 260-273, 2022.
Great Toe Transplantation. Forte A, Maita K, Torres-Guzman R, Avila F, Safa B, Buncke G, Buntic R, Watt A. Seminars in plastic surgery. V: 36, 243-252, 2022.
Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Maximizing Success. Buntic R, Li A. Seminars in plastic surgery. V: 36, 253-259, 2022.
Assessment of Lymphovenous Anastomosis Patency: Technical Highlights. Forte A, Huayllani M, Sisti A, Boczar D, Ciudad P, Manrique O, Buntic R. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 8, e2718, 2020.
High-pressure injection injury: a case report and systematic review. Eells A, McRae M, Buntic R, Boczar D, Oliver J, Huayllani M, Restrepo D, Sisti A, Forte A. Case reports in plastic surgery & hand surgery. V: 6, 153-158, 2019.
Use of the subscapular system by maintaining unilateral decubitus placement without repositioning in microvascular free tissue transplantation. Forte A, Oliver J, McRae M, Colasante C, Eells A, Watt A, Buntic R, Buncke G, Safa B. Microsurgery. V: 40, 125-129, 2020.
Initial Management of Traumatic Digit Amputations: A Retrospective Study of Functional Outcomes. Ngaage L, Oni G, Buntic R, Malata C, Buncke G. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 34, 250-257, 2018.
USE of arterialized saphenous vein venous flow-through flaps as a temporizing measure for hand salvage in contaminated wounds presenting with limb ischemia: A case series. Diaz-Abele J, Safa B, Buntic R, Islur A. Microsurgery. V: 38, 362-368, 2018.
Microsurgical ear replantation-is venous repair necessary?-A systematic review. Momeni A, Liu X, Januszyk M, Wan D, Buncke G, Buntic R, Parrett B. Microsurgery. V: 36, 345-50, 2016.
Cross-leg flaps: preferred alternative to free flaps? Momeni A, Buntic R, Buncke G. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. V: 218, 308-9, 2014.
Long-term results and costs of muscle flap coverage with Ilizarov bone transport in lower limb salvage. Lowenberg D, Buntic R, Buncke G, Parrett B. Journal of orthopaedic trauma. V: 27, 576-81, 2013.
Microvascular approach to scalp replantation and reconstruction: a thirty-six year experience. Herrera F, Buntic R, Brooks D, Buncke G, Antony A. Microsurgery. V: 32, 591-7, 2012.
The utility of multimedia in the diagnosis and management of acute and subacute problems in hand surgery. Althubaiti G, Buntic R, Brooks D. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 68, 389-90, 2012.
A multi-disciplinary approach to the management of fungal osteomyelitis: current concepts in post-traumatic lower extremity reconstruction: a case report. Cetrulo C, Leto Barone A, Jordan K, Chang D, Louie K, Buntic R, Brooks D. Microsurgery. V: 32, 144-7, 2012.
The safety of major head and neck surgery in patients taking clopidogrel (Plavix). Parrett B, Woo A, Buntic R, Singer M. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 129, 375e-376e, 2012.
Transverse upper gracilis flap as an alternative to abdominal tissue breast reconstruction: technique and modifications. Buntic R, Horton K, Brooks D, Althubaiti G. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 128, 607e-613e, 2011.
Artery-vein-artery venous flap for simultaneous soft-tissue repair and radial artery reconstruction: case report. Rounds K, Buntic R, Brooks D. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 36, 1339-42, 2011.
Refining outcomes in dorsal hand coverage: consideration of aesthetics and donor-site morbidity. Parrett B, Bou-Merhi J, Buntic R, Safa B, Buncke G, Brooks D. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 126, 1630-1638, 2010.
Standardized protocol for artery-only fingertip replantation. Buntic R, Brooks D. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 35, 1491-6, 2010.
A simple and reliable technique for harvesting skin from a "spare part" by a single operator. Brooks D, Kim S, Buntic R. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 124, 460e-461e, 2009.
Bilateral breast reconstruction: the simultaneous use of autogenous tissue and identical twin isograft. Hazani R, Coots B, Buntic R, Brooks D. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 63, 496-8, 2009.
Microsurgical reconstruction of the burned hand. Karanas Y, Buntic R. Hand clinics. V: 25, 551-6, 2009.
How often is the superficial inferior epigastric artery adequate? An observational correlation. Herrera F, Selber J, Buntic R, Brooks D, Buncke G, Antony A. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS. V: 63, e310-1, 2010.
Simultaneous double second toe transplantation for reconstruction of multiple digit loss in traumatic hand injuries. Herrera F, Lee C, Brooks D, Buntic R, Buncke G. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 25, 369-76, 2009.
Resurfacing of a complex upper extremity injury: an excellent indication for the dorsal thoracic fascial flap. Hazani R, Brooks D, Buntic R. Microsurgery. V: 29, 128-32, 2009.
Partial muscle harvest: our first 100 cases attempting to preserve form and function at the donor site. Brooks D, Buntic R. Microsurgery. V: 28, 606-11, 2008.
Use of circular external fixation to maintain foot position during free tissue transfer to the foot and ankle. Lowenberg D, Sadeghi C, Brooks D, Buncke G, Buntic R. Microsurgery. V: 28, 623-7, 2008.
Management of exposed total knee prostheses with microvascular tissue transfer. Cetrulo C, Shiba T, Friel M, Davis B, Buntic R, Buncke G, Brooks D. Microsurgery. V: 28, 617-22, 2008.
Index finger salvage with replantation and revascularization: revisiting conventional wisdom. Buntic R, Brooks D, Buncke G. Microsurgery. V: 28, 612-6, 2008.
Creation of a four-joint-digit after second toe to digit transplantation: restoration of form and function. Brooks D, Buntic R, De Jesus R. Microsurgery. V: 28, 628-31, 2008.
Patterns in blast injuries to the hand. Hazani R, Buntic R, Brooks D. Hand (New York, N.Y.). V: 4, 44-9, 2009.
Microsurgical scalp reconstruction after a mountain lion attack. Hazani R, Buntic R, Brooks D. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 61, 265-8, 2008.
Use of the venous flap for salvage of difficult ring avulsion injuries. Brooks D, Buntic R, Taylor C. Microsurgery. V: 28, 397-402, 2008.
The free partial superior latissimus muscle flap: preservation of donor-site form and function. Buntic R, Horton K, Brooks D, Lee C. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 121, 1659-1663, 2008.
Simultaneous coverage of two separate dorsal digital defects with a syndactylizing venous free flap. Trovato M, Brooks D, Buntic R, Buncke G. Microsurgery. V: 28, 248-51, 2008.
Patency of radial arteries reconstructed after radial forearm flap harvest. Kiehn M, Brooks D, Lee C, Kind G, Buntic R, Buncke G. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 23, 347-9, 2007.
Ring avulsion: injury pattern, treatment, and outcome. Brooks D, Buntic R, Kind G, Schott K, Buncke G, Buncke H. Clinics in plastic surgery. V: 34, 187-95, viii, 2007.
Severe frostbite of the knees after cryotherapy. Lee C, Pardun J, Buntic R, Kiehn M, Brooks D, Buncke H. Orthopedics. V: 30, 63-4, 2007.
Determination of the vascular configuration in autogenous breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue: simple but not necessarily easy. Brooks D, Buntic R. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 118, 1665-1666, 2006.
Induction of tolerance to composite tissue allograft in a rat model. Quatra F, Lowenberg D, Buncke H, Romeo O, Brooks D, Buntic R, Baxter-Lowe L. Microsurgery. V: 26, 573-8, 2006.
Detection of perfusion disturbances in digit replantation using near-infrared spectroscopy and serial quantitative fluoroscopy. Colwell A, Buntic R, Brooks D, Wright L, Buncke G, Buncke H. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 31, 456-62, 2006.
Free partial medial rectus muscle flap for closure of complex extremity wounds. Buntic R, Brooks D. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 116, 1434-7, 2005.
Salvage of a radial forearm flap transferred onto a by-pass graft with conversion from a high-to-low-resistance circulatory pattern: case report. Brooks D, Buntic R, Nguyen N. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 21, 355-7, 2005.
An aesthetic perquisite of rectus muscle transplantation in extremity reconstruction. Brooks D, Buntic R. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 54, 109-11, 2005.
Dextran-related complications in head and neck microsurgery: do the benefits outweigh the risks? Buntic R, Brooks D, Buncke H, Buncke G. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 114, 1008; author reply 1008-9, 2004.
Composite tissue allografting (CTA). Buncke H, Lowenberg D, Quatra F, Buncke G, Buntic R, Brooks D. Surgical technology international. V: 11, 292-302, 2003.
Pediatric mutilating hand injuries. Buncke G, Buntic R, Romeo O. Hand clinics. V: 19, 121-31, 2003.
Effect of sequence, timing of vascular anastomosis, and clamp removal on survival of microsurgical flaps. Zhang F, Pang Y, Buntic R, Jones M, Cai Z, Buncke H, Lineaweaver W. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 18, 697-702, 2002.
Cross-facial and functional microvascular muscle transplantation for longstanding facial paralysis. Buncke H, Buncke G, Kind G, Buntic R, Brooks D, Chin B. Clinics in plastic surgery. V: 29, 551-66, 2002.
Use of a venous flap from an amputated part for salvage of an upper extremity injury. Brooks D, Buntic R, Buncke H. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 48, 189-92, 2002.
The harvest and clinical application of the superficial peroneal sensory nerve for grafting motor and sensory nerve defects. Buntic R, Buncke H, Kind G, Chin B, Ruebeck D, Buncke G. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 109, 145-51, 2002.