Complications in Reconstructive Surgery

Alexander F. Mericli M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Alexander Mericli is an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery and Director of Clinical Research at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He completed his plastic surgery residency at the University of Virginia, followed by a fellowship in microvascular and reconstructive surgery at MD Anderson. Dr. Mericli practices all aspects of reconstructive surgery with particular attention to breast reconstruction and reconstruction of the trunk and extremities after sarcoma resection; he is considered an international expert on reconstruction after destabilizing spinopelvic resections. He is dedicated to surgical research and education, having received numerous awards in recognition of these endeavors. He has authored or co-authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on various plastic surgery topics and lectured nationally and internationally on his research. Dr. Mericli graduated magna cum laude from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society and graduated magna cum laude.

Mark W. Clemens, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S.

Mark W. Clemens, MD, is a professor of plastic surgery and the Associate Vice President of MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas in Houston. He completed plastic surgical training at Georgetown University, research fellowships at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Harvard Children's Hospital, a microsurgery fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and a master's degree of business from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Business.

Dr. Clemens' research interests include breast implant associated ALCL, as well as robotic-assisted, microvascular, and prosthetic reconstructive surgery of the breast. Dr. Clemens has lectured in over 30 countries and written more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 50 book chapters.  He is the breast section editor and on the editorial board of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  He is an author for National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines on Lymphoma and an invited content expert on breast implant safety for the US FDA and the European Commission.  He was a member of the surgical team that performed the world's first skull and scalp transplant.  Dr. Clemens cofounded the annual World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL which meets with the International Breast Surgery Workshop, and has had over 20,000 attendees to date. He is the published author of Phoenix Rising Empower and Transform Through Breast Reconstruction which, upon release, topped Amazon charts across breast cancer.

Matthew M. Hanasono M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Matthew Hanasono is a Professor and Deputy Chair in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he was also the Reconstructive Microsurgery Fellowship Program Director from 2014-2024. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology Summa cum Laude at the University of California, Los Angeles and his medical degree from Stanford University. Dr. Hanasono completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University and a residency in Plastic Surgery at Cornell University, followed by a fellowship in Reconstructive Microsurgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, over 70 book chapters, and 2 textbooks, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of the Head and Neck and Handbook of Reconstructive Flaps. Dr. Hanasono had the honor being the 2015 American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery Godina Traveling Fellow in recognition of his contributions to the field of reconstructive microsurgery. He has also served as an American College of Surgeons Japan Traveling Fellow, Plastic Surgery Foundation Visiting Professor, and American Society for Maxillofacial Surgery Visiting Professor. Dr. Hanasono has published several studies involving the prevention and treatment of complications in reconstructive microsurgery and has lectured extensively on the topic at academic meetings and hospital centers all over the world.

Peirong Yu, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Yu is a professor and Chairman in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Following his general surgery training at Brown University, Dr. Yu completed his plastic surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and joined MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2001. Dr. Yu is a world-renowned expert in complex head and neck reconstruction, tracheoesophageal reconstruction and perforator flaps. He has made significant contributions in head and neck reconstruction, such as pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap, microsurgical tracheal reconstruction, reconstruction of combined tracheal and total esophageal defects, managing osteoradionecrosis of the mandible, and reconstruction of head neck defects in patients with a frozen neck. Dr. Yu has authored over 150 research papers and book chapters, and co-edited several books. His innovative work has earned him prestigious awards, including the Godina Traveling Fellow and the 2025 Buncke Lecturer.