Peirong Yu, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Peirong Yu
Board-certified in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Peirong Yu is a professor and the chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is internationally renowned for his expertise in head and neck reconstruction and tracheoesophageal reconstruction. With over 190 publications and over 200 invited national and international presentations, instructional courses and lectures, Dr. Yu has made significant contributions in the development of a variety of flaps for use in microsurgical reconstruction and is best known for his extensive work in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, the internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap, the ulnar artery perforator flap, and the refinement of other perforator flaps. Additionally, Dr. Yu developed a rapid awakening protocol (RAP) for patients with head neck free flap reconstruction which significantly expedited postoperative recovery, decreased medical complications, and shortened the length of stay.
Dr. Yu graduated from Suzhou Medical College in Suzhou, China, in 1984, and completed a five-year General Surgery Residency at the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital in Beijing. He then completed a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship at Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. From 1991-1994 Dr. Yu worked as a research scientist and then as an assistant professor in research at Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island. He completed his General Surgery Residency Training at the Brown University Program and his Plastic Surgery Residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin. In 2001, Dr. Yu began his illustrious career at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
In addition, Dr. Yu is an active clinical and basic science researcher with an interest in complex head and neck reconstruction, tracheoesophageal reconstruction, and refinement of perforator flaps.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Endowed Chair, Margaret and Ben Love Chair in Clinical Cancer Care in honor of Dr. Charles LeMaistre, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1984 | Suzhou Medical College, Suzhou, CN, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2001 | Residency, Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| 1995-1998 | Residency, General Surgery, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island |
| 1989-1991 | Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Surgical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1984-1989 | Residency, General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing |
Board Certifications
| 2002 | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Adjunct Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2013
Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2010
Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2001 - 2005
Research Scientist, Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 1998 - 1999
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, 1994 - 1995
Research Associate, Department of GI Division, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, 1991 - 1995
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2025 | 2025 Harry J. Buncke Lecturer, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery |
| 2024 | 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor |
| 2018 | Top 1% Performer, achieved 100% score, Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) |
| 2011 | Top Doctor 2011, US News & World Report |
| 2007 | Godina Traveling Fellow Award, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery |
| 2005 | America's Top Surgeons |
| 2005 | Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc |
| 2004 | 2004 British Journal of Plastic Surgery Prize "Best Paper" 2004, British Association of Plastic Surgeons |
| 2001 | Award of Excellence, Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin |
| 2000 | Appreciation and Dedication Award, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin |
| 1999 | Best Fellow Emergency Medicine Research Award, Medical College of Wisconsin |
| 1989 | Award of Scientific Forum in Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) |
| 1988 | First Award of Achievements in Medicine and Scientific Research, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital |
| 1979 | Best Student Awards, Three-time recipient: 1979-1984, Suzhou Medical College, Suzhou, China |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Pu JJ, Atia A, Yu P, Su YX. The Anterolateral Thigh Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 36(4):451-462, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39142949.
- Lee ZH, Shuck JW, Largo RD, Chang EI, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Garvey PB. Free fibula mandible reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis is more challenging than for primary cancer. Head Neck 46(11):2834-2842, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38847334.
- Kim HAJ, De Biasio MJ, Forte V, Gilbert RW, Irish JC, Goldstein DP, de Almeida JR, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Chepeha DB, Looi T, Yao CMKL. Optimizing Osteotomy Geometries in Posterolateral Mandibulectomies. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 150(12):1113-1120, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39480439.
- Contrera KJ, Hassan AM, Shuck JW, Bobian M, Ha AY, Chang EI, Garvey PB, Roubaud MS, Lee ZH, Hanasono MM, Gross ND, Myers JN, Yu P, Largo RD. Outcomes for 160 Consecutive Lateral Arm Free Flaps for Head and Neck Reconstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 170(3):747-757, 2024. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38037485.
- Danker, SJ, Shuck, JW, Taher, A, Mujtaba, B, Chang, EI, Chu, K, Liu, J, Garvey, PB, Hanna, EY, Yu, P, Largo, RD. The lateral forearm flap versus traditional upper extremity flaps. Head and Neck 45(9):2413-2423, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37464915.
- Ismail T, Padilla P, Kurlander DE, Corkum JP, Hanasono MM, Garvey PB, Chang EI, Yu P, Largo RD. Profunda Artery Perforator Flap Tongue Reconstruction: An Effective and Safe Alternative to the Anterolateral Thigh Flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37384852.
- Jozaghi, Y, Chang, EI, Clemens, MW, Hanasono, MM, Klebuc, MJ, Yu, P, Gaber, AO, Selber, JC. Simultaneous Scalp, Skull, Kidney, and Pancreas Transplant from a Single Donor. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 151(6):1318-1321, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36729732.
- Zeng N, Chen Y, Wu Y, Zang M, Largo RD, Chang EI, Schaverien MV, Yu P, Zhang Q. Pre-Epithelialized Cryopreserved Tracheal Allograft for Neo-Trachea Flap Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 11, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Asaad M, Lu SC, Hassan AM, Kambhampati P, Mitchell D, Chang EI, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Sidey-Gibbons C. The Use of Machine Learning for Predicting Complications of Free-Flap Head and Neck Reconstruction. Ann Surg Oncol 30(4):2343-2352, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36719569.
- Kurlander DE, Garvey PB, Largo RD, Yu P, Chang EI, Hanasono MM, Mericli AF. The Cost Utility of Virtual Surgical Planning and Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing in Mandible Reconstruction Using the Free Fibula Osteocutaneous Flap. J Reconstr Microsurg 39(3):221-230, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 35988577.
- Zeng, N, Chen, Y, Wu, Y, Zang, M, Largo, RD, Chang, EI, Schaverien, MV, Yu, P, Zhang, Q. Pre-epithelialized cryopreserved tracheal allograft for neo-trachea flap engineering. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 11, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37214293.
- Contrera KJ, Zafereo ME, Yaniv D, Roberts DB, Gillenwater AM, Hanna EY, Weber RS, Myers JN, Chang EI, Garvey PB, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Hutcheson KA, Fuller CD, Tyler MA, Neskey DM. Outcomes for recurrent oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 134:106127, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36155359.
- Asaad M, Yao C, Kambhampati P, Mitchell D, Liu J, Lewis CM, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Chang EI. Impact of Body Mass Index on Surgical Outcomes in Oncologic Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction. Ann Surg Oncol 29(8):5109-5121, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35325376.
- Contrera KJ, Chinn SB, Weber RS, Roberts D, Myers JN, Lai SY, Lewis CM, Hessel AC, Gillenwater AM, Mulcahy CF, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Fuller CD, Chambers MS, Zafereo ME. Outcomes after definitive surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis. Head Neck 44(6):1313-1323, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35238096.
- Yang, WF, Yu, P, Zhu, WY, Choi, WS, Pu, JJ, Su, Yx. A Comprehensive Approach for Measuring Spatial Deviations of Computer-Assisted Mandibular Reconstruction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 149(3):500E-510E, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35196692.
- Mady LJ, Poonia SK, Baddour K, Snyder V, Kurukulasuriya C, Frost AS, Cannady SB, Chinn SB, Fancy T, Futran N, Hanasono MM, Lewis CM, Miles BA, Patel U, Richmon JD, Wax MK, Yu P, Solari MG, Sridharan S. Consensus of free flap complications: Using a nomenclature paradigm in microvascular head and neck reconstruction. Head Neck 43(10):3032-3041, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34145676.
- Traylor JI, Christiano LD, Esmaeli B, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Suki D, Zhang W, Raza SM, Hanna EY, DeMonte F. Outcomes of orbital exenteration for craniofacial lesions. Cancer 127(14):2465-2475, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33799313.
- Largo RD, Bhadkamkar MA, Asaad M, Chu CK, Garvey PB, Butler CE, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Chang EI. The Profunda Artery Perforator Flap: A Versatile Option for Head and Neck Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 147(6):1401-1412, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33973941.
- Zheng G, Liu J, Yu P. Intraoperative Fluid Management Implies Insignificant Influence to Surgical Outcomes in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction Cases. Plast Reconstr Surg 147(4):627e-633e, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33776038.
- Akdeniz-Dogan Z, Roubaud MS, Kapur SK, Liu J, Yu P, Selber JC, Mericli AF. Free Flap Reconstruction of Posterior Trunk Soft-Tissue Defects: Single-Institution Experience and Systematic Literature Review. Plast Reconstr Surg 147(3):728-740, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33587562.
- Kiong KL, Vu CN, CMKL Y, Kruse B, Zheng G, Yu P, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery: A Case-Matched Analysis of Perioperative and Pain Outcomes. Ann Surg Oncol 28(2):867-876, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32964371.
- Pu JJ, Choi WS, Yu P, Wong MCM, Lo AWI, Su YX. Do predetermined surgical margins compromise oncological safety in computer-assisted head and neck reconstruction?. Oral Oncol 111:104914, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32712577.
- Boukovalas S, Goepfert RP, Smith JM, Mecham E, Liu J, Zafereo ME, Chang EI, Hessel AC, Hanasono MM, Gross ND, Yu P, Lewin JS, Lewis CM, Diaz EM, Weber RS, Myers JN, Offodile AC. Association between postoperative complications and long-term oncologic outcomes following total laryngectomy: 10-year experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Cancer. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32931057.
- Largo RD, Chu CK, Chang EI, Liu J, Abu-Ghname A, Wang H, Schaverien MV, Mericli AF, Hanasono MM, Yu P. Perforator Mapping of the Profunda Artery Perforator Flap: Anatomy and Clinical Experience. Plast Reconstr Surg. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32826732.
- Shuck J, Chang EI, Mericli AF, Gross NF, Hanasono MM, Garvey PB, Yu P, Largo RD. Free Lateral Forearm Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction: An Attractive Alternative to the Radial Forearm Flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32590516.
- Lin SJ, Rabie A, Yu P. Unusual Anterolateral Thigh Donor-Site Complications: Intraneural Hemangioma and Traumatic Neuroma. Plast Reconstr Surg 125(2):88e-89e. e-Pub 2010.
Book Chapters
- Cho MJ, Yu P. Hypopharyngeal, esophageal, and neck reconstruction. In: Plastic Surgery. 5th. Elsevier, 2023.
- Bishop SN, Yu P. Neurotization in Tongue and Oro-pharyngeal Reconstruction. In: Flap Neurotization in Reconstructive Surgery. Springer.
- Chu KC, Yu P. Tongue and Pharyngeal Reconstruction. In: Tips and tricks in Head and Neck Microsurgical Reconstruction.
- Kapur S, Yu P. Anterolateral and Anteromedial Thigh Flaps. In: Tips and tricks in Head and Neck Microsurgical Reconstruction.
- Kapur S, Yu P. Anteromedial Thigh Flap. In: Mastery of Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Head and Neck. Thieme.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified April 07, 2025