The Buncke Clinic

Bauback Safa, MD, MBA, FACS

Bio

Dr. Safa is an internationally renowned reconstructive microsurgeon and hand surgeon at the Buncke Clinic, widely considered to be the birthplace of microsurgery. He graduated from the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar and then obtained his MD from the Stanford University School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford, followed by a fellowship in microsurgery and hand surgery at The Buncke Clinic where he has been on staff since 2007. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with a certificate of added qualification in Hand Surgery (CAQ). Dr. Safa serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at both Stanford and UCSF divisions of plastic surgery. He also holds an MBA from the University of California Berkeley.

Board Certification

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

Academic Bio

Dr. Safa lectures extensively throughout the world on complex microsurgical reconstruction, including phalloplasty, complex microsurgical hand reconstruction, replantation, peripheral nerve reconstruction, and super-microsurgery. He is also highly sought after internationally as a surgical educator and has trained hundreds of surgeons around the world in all aspects of microsurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and hand surgery.

Academic Affiliations

Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated)	Stanford University Medical School
Assistant Clinical Professor (Volunteer)	UCSF Medical School

Societies

Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
Member, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery
Member, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Member, American Society for Peripheral Nerve
Member, American Association for Hand Surgery
Member, California Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member, World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Fellow, American College of Surgeons

Education

Type	School	Degree
Undergraduate	University of Virginia	BA
Professional Medical	Stanford University	MD
Residency	Stanford University Plastic Surgery	Resident
Fellowship	The Buncke Clinic Hand and Microsurgery	Fellow
Graduate	University of California, Berkeley	MBA

Selected Recent Publications

Intercostal Nerve Transfer as a Novel Technique for Sensation Preservation in Gender-affirming Subcutaneous Mastectomy. Lin W, Titan A, Doucet V, Pridgen B, Safa B. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 13, e6565, 2025.
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 Mangled Digit Severity Score: Determining Salvageability of Severe Digital Injuries. Luan A, Friedrich J, Giladi A, Mithani S, Rhee P, Safa B, Strohl A, Eberlin K. The Journal of hand surgery. 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.
Distal fingertip replantation: indications, strategy and postoperative management. Venkatramani H, Roberto A, Safa B, Chen C, Lee D, Chen J. The Journal of hand surgery, European volume. V: 49, 403-411, 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.
Reconsidering the Standard of Care for Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction. Safa B, Momeni A. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 11, e5320, 2023.
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.
Histologic Comparison of the Fascicular Area of Processed Nerve Allograft Versus Cabled Sural Nerve Autograft. Leversedge F, Safa B, Lin W, Iorio M, Merced-O'Neill O, Tajdaran K. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 11, e5201, 2023.
Revision Phalloplasty: Evaluation, Algorithms, and Techniques for Salvage after Major Complications. Keller P, Chen M, Ovadia S, Reiche E, Safa B, Coon D. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 154, 362e-373e, 2024.
Evidence based recommendations for perioperative vasopressor use and fluid resuscitation in microsurgery. Safeek R, Bryan J, Heath F, Satteson E, Maurer A, Safa B, Sorice-Virk S. Microsurgery. V: 43, 496-506, 2023.
Approach to Lymphedema Management. Lin W, Safa B, Buntic R. Seminars in plastic surgery. V: 36, 260-273, 2022.
Microsurgical Gender Affirmation Surgery. Watt A, Safa B, Chen M. Seminars in plastic surgery. V: 36, 274-284, 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.
Modification of the single-tube radial forearm phalloplasty technique to allow for urinary meatal reconstruction: A report of two cases. Miller T, Saberski E, Safa B, Watt A. Microsurgery. V: 42, 728-731, 2022.
Reconstruction of Digit Soft Tissue Defects With the Fourth Common Digital Artery Perforator Flap. Safa B, Lee D, Park J, Koh S, Kim J, Roh S, Lee K, Hong M. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 47, 1115.e1-1115.e7, 2022.
Clinical Outcomes of Symptomatic Neuroma Resection and Reconstruction with Processed Nerve Allograft. Jain S, Nydick J, Leversedge F, Power D, Styron J, Safa B, Buncke G. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 9, e3832, 2021.
Immediate Lymphovenous Bypass Treated Donor Site Lymphedema during Phalloplasty for Gender Dysphoria. Lin W, Safa B, Chen M, Cheng M. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 9, e3822, 2021.
Transgender Scrotoplasty and Perineal Reconstruction With Labia Majora Flaps: Technique and Outcomes From 147 Consecutive Cases. Miller T, Lin W, Safa B, Watt A, Chen M. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 87, 324-330, 2021.
Neourethra Creation in Gender Phalloplasty: Differences in Techniques and Staging. Berli J, Monstrey S, Safa B, Chen M. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 147, 801e-811e, 2021.
Infrapubic Insertion of Penile Implants in Transmen After Phalloplasty. Chen M, Patel D, Moses R, Goodwin I, Safa B, Watt A, Hotaling J. Urology. V: 152, 79-83, 2021.
Gender-Affirming Health Insurance Reform in the United States. Ngaage L, Xue S, Borrelli M, Safa B, Berli J, Bluebond-Langner R, Rasko Y. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 87, 119-122, 2021.
An abnormal clinical Allen's Test is not a contraindication for free radial forearm flap. Miller T, Safa B, Watt A, Chen M, Lin W. Clinical case reports. V: 8, 2191-2194, 2020.
A Multicenter Matched Cohort Study of Processed Nerve Allograft and Conduit in Digital Nerve Reconstruction. Leversedge F, Zoldos J, Nydick J, Kao D, Thayer W, MacKay B, McKee D, Hoyen H, Safa B, Buncke G. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 45, 1148-1156, 2020.
Leech Therapy Following Digital Replantation and Revascularization. Pickrell B, Daly M, Freniere B, Higgins J, Safa B, Eberlin K. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 45, 638-643, 2020.
Peripheral nerve repair throughout the body with processed nerve allografts: Results from a large multicenter study. Safa B, Jain S, Desai M, Greenberg J, Niacaris T, Nydick J, Leversedge F, Megee D, Zoldos J, Rinker B, McKee D, MacKay B, Ingari J, Nesti L, Cho M, Valerio I, Kao D, El-Sheikh Y, Weber R, Shores J, Styron J, Thayer W, Przylecki W, Hoyen H, Buncke G. Microsurgery. V: 40, 527-537, 2020.
Radial Artery Occlusion in a Patient With Lupus, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, and Raynaud Phenomenon: A Multimodal Approach. Miller T, Lin W, Safa B. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 45, 664.e1-664.e5, 2020.
Single-Stage Phalloplasty. Chen M, Safa B. The Urologic clinics of North America. V: 46, 567-580, 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.
Recovery of Motor Function after Mixed and Motor Nerve Repair with Processed Nerve Allograft. Safa B, Shores J, Ingari J, Weber R, Cho M, Zoldos J, Niacaras T, Nesti L, Thayer W, Buncke G. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. V: 7, e2163, 2019.
Current Concepts in Feminizing Gender Surgery. Safa B, Lin W, Salim A, Deschamps-Braly J, Poh M. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 143, 1081e-1091e, 2019.
Efficiency in Replantation/Revascularization Surgery. Safa B, Greyson M, Eberlin K. Hand clinics. V: 35, 131-141, 2019.
Current Concepts in Masculinizing Gender Surgery. Safa B, Lin W, Salim A, Deschamps-Braly J, Poh M. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. V: 143, 857e-871e, 2019.
In Vivo Efficacy Study Showing Comparative Advantage of Bacterial Infection Prevention with Zip-type Skin Closure Device vs. Subcuticular Sutures. Safa B, Belson A, Meschter C, Kelley M, Stewart D, Ichiryu K, Biroc S, Storne E. Cureus. V: 10, e3102, 2018.
Gender Surgery: A Truly Multidisciplinary Field. Schechter L, Safa B. Clinics in plastic surgery. V: 45, xiii, 2018.
Introduction to Phalloplasty. Schechter L, Safa B. Clinics in plastic surgery. V: 45, 387-389, 2018.
Opinions on Authorship: A Survey of Plastic Surgery Residents and Fellows. Momeni A, Hunter C, Li A, Safa B, Wan D, Kneser U. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 80, 660-663, 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.
Use of Processed Nerve Allografts to Repair Nerve Injuries Greater Than 25 mm in the Hand. Rinker B, Zoldos J, Weber R, Ko J, Thayer W, Greenberg J, Leversedge F, Safa B, Buncke G. Annals of plastic surgery. V: 78, S292-S295, 2017.
A Preliminary Assessment of the Utility of Large-Caliber Processed Nerve Allografts for the Repair of Upper Extremity Nerve Injuries. Isaacs J, Safa B. Hand (New York, N.Y.). V: 12, 55-59, 2017.
Refinements of nerve repair with connector-assisted coaptation. Ducic I, Safa B, DeVinney E. Microsurgery. V: 37, 256-263, 2017.
Mechanics of Wound Closure: Emerging Tape-Based Wound Closure Technology vs. Traditional Methods. Levi K, Ichiryu K, Kefel P, Keller J, Grice J, Belson O, Storne E, Safa B. Cureus. V: 8, e827, 2016.
Technical Assessment of Connector-Assisted Nerve Repair. Isaacs J, Safa B, Evans P, Greenberg J. The Journal of hand surgery. V: 41, 760-6, 2016.
Autograft Substitutes: Conduits and Processed Nerve Allografts. Safa B, Buncke G. Hand clinics. V: 32, 127-40, 2016.
Outcomes of short-gap sensory nerve injuries reconstructed with processed nerve allografts from a multicenter registry study. Rinker B, Ingari J, Greenberg J, Thayer W, Safa B, Buncke G. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 31, 384-90, 2015.
Microsurgery in the hypercoagulable patient: review of the literature. Herrera F, Lee C, Kryger G, Roostaeian J, Safa B, Lohman R, Gottlieb L, Walton R. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery. V: 28, 305-12, 2012.
Processed nerve allografts for peripheral nerve reconstruction: a multicenter study of utilization and outcomes in sensory, mixed, and motor nerve reconstructions. Brooks D, Weber R, Chao J, Rinker B, Zoldos J, Robichaux M, Ruggeri S, Anderson K, Bonatz E, Wisotsky S, Cho M, Wilson C, Cooper E, Ingari J, Safa B, Parrett B, Buncke G. Microsurgery. V: 32, 1-14, 2012.
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.