Rene D. Largo, MD
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
2006 | University of Zurich Medical School, Zurich, CHE, MD, Doctor of Medicine |
2005 | Duke University, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA, Rotation, Doctor of Medicine |
2000 | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, Zurich, CHE, Mechanical Engineering and Process Management, Mechanical Engineering and Process Management |
Postgraduate Training
2011-2011 | Clinical Fellowship, Burn Unit, University Hospital of Zurich, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Zurich |
2009-2009 | Research Fellowship, Group Cell and Gene Therapy, University Hospital of Basel, Institute for Surgical Research and Hospital Management, Basel |
2009-2013 | Clinical Residency, Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, Department of Surgery, Basel |
2007-2008 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, Cantonal Hospital of Winterthur, Department of Surgery, Winterthur |
Board Certifications
2013 | Swiss Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery FMH, Lifetime |
2013 | European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS, Lifetime |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Plastic Surgery Attending and Faculty, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, 2013 - 2014
Honors & Awards
2021 | Multi-Year Appointment Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - Plastic Surgery |
2014 | Best Poster Presentation, Bones & Teeth Gordon Conference |
2014 | Best Outstanding Poster Award, American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy |
2014 | Best Experimental Research, German-Speaking Society of Microsurgery |
2014 | Award, Swiss Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Society |
2010 | Best Oral Presentation, European Plastic Surgery Research Council |
2005 | Medical School of Zurich for Clinical Subinternship at Duke Medical School, Scholarship, University of Duke |
2002 | Award "Excellent Preparation Skills" in Human Cadaver Dissection, Medical School of Zurich, University of Zurich |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Largo RD, Selber JC, Garvey PB, Chang EI, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Butler CE, Baumann DP. Outcome Analysis of Free Flap Salvage in Outpatients Presenting with Microvascular Compromise. Plast and Reconstr Surg 141(1):20e-27e, 2018. PMID: 29280859.
- Hanson SE, Mitchell MB, Palivela N, Peng SA, Feng L, Largo RD, Butler CE, Garvey PB. Smaller-Diameter Anastomotic Coupling Devices Have Higher Rates of Venous Thrombosis in Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer. Plast and Reconstr Surg 140(6):1293-1300, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28820839.
- Ismail T, Osinga R, Todorov A, Haumer A, Tchang LA, Epple C, Allafi N, Menzi N, Largo RD, Kaempfen A, Martin I, Schaefer DJ, Scherberich A. Engineered, axially-vascularized osteogenic grafts from human adipose-derived cells to treat avascular necrosis of bone in a rat model. Acta Biomater 63:236-245, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28893630.
- Mericli AF, Schaverien MV, Hanasono MM, Yu P, Largo RD, Villa MT, Reece G, Butler CE, Garvey PB. Using a Second Free Fibula Osteocutaneous Flap after Repeated Mandibulectomy Is Associated with a Low Complication Rate and Acceptable Functional Outcomes. Plast and Reconstr Surg 140(2):381-389, 2017. PMID: 28746288.
- Oranges CM, Tremp M, Ling B, Wettstein R, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ. A Simple, Reliable, and Inexpensive Intraoperative External Expansion System for Enhanced Autologous Structural Fat Grafting. Arch Plast Surg 43(5):466-9, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27689056.
- Oranges CM, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ. Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man: The Ideal Human Proportions and Man as a Measure of All Things. Plast and Reconstr Surg 137(4):764e-765e, 2016. PMID: 26761509.
- Oranges CM, Largo RD, Garcia Nuñez D, Schaefer DJ. A Prospective Evaluation of Female External Genitalia Sensitivity to Pressure following Labia Minora Reduction and Clitoral Hood Reduction. Plast and Reconstr Surg 137(4):758(e), 2016. PMID: 26752356.
- Osinga R, Menzi NR, Tchang LA, Caviezel D, Kalbermatten DF, Martin I, Schaefer DJ, Scherberich A, Largo RD. Effects of intersyringe processing on adipose tissue and its cellular components: implications in autologous fat grafting. Plast and Reconstr Surg 135(6):1618-28, 2015. PMID: 26017597.
- Kaempfen A, Todorov A, Güven S, Largo RD, Jaquiéry C, Scherberich A, Martin I, Schaefer DJ. Engraftment of Prevascularized, Tissue Engineered Constructs in a Novel Rabbit Segmental Bone Defect Model. Int J Mol Sci 16(6):12616-30, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26053395.
- Largo RD, Tchang LA, Mele V, Scherberich A, Harder Y, Wettstein R, Schaefer DJ. Efficacy, safety and complications of autologous fat grafting to healthy breast tissue: a systematic review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 67(4):437-48, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24394754.
- Tremp M, Largo RD, Borens O, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF. Bone propeller flap: a staged procedure. J Foot Ankle Surg 53(2):226-231, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23876983.
- Wettstein R, Largo RD, Raffoul W, Schumacher R, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF. Laser scanning evaluation of atrophy after autologous free muscle transfer. Ann Plast Surg 72(6):680-4, 2014. PMID: 23486115.
- Tchang LA, Largo RD, Babst D, Wettstein R, Haug MD, Kalbermatten DF, Schaefer DJ. Second free radial forearm flap for urethral reconstruction after partial flap necrosis of tube-in-tube phalloplasty with radial forearm flap: a report of two cases. Microsurgery 34(1):58-63, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24038531.
- Wettstein R, Tchang LAH, Largo RD, Schantz JT, Machens HG, Schaefer DJ, Harder Y. Eigenfettgewebetransplantation und Brustkrebs: Was wissen wir heute?. Plastische Chirurgie 14(2):81-86, 2014.
- Schantz JT, Harder Y, Largo RD, Muller D, Wettstein R, Tchang LAH, Schaefer DJ, Machens HG, Hutmacher DW. Gewinnung, Aufbereitung und Applikation autologer Fettzellen. Plastische Chirurgie 14(2):87-92, 2014.
- Helmrich U, Di Maggio N, Güven S, Groppa E, Melly L, Largo RD, Heberer M, Martin I, Scherberich A, Banfi A. Osteogenic graft vascularization and bone resorption by VEGF-expressing human mesenchymal progenitors. Biomaterials 34(21):5025-5035, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23566801.
- Engels PE, Tremp M, Kingham PJ, di Summa PG, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF. Harvest site influences the growth properties of adipose derived stem cells. Cytotechnology 65(3):437-445, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23095943.
- Fulco I, Largo RD, Miot S, Wixmerten A, Martin I, Schaefer DJ, Haug MD. Toward clinical application of tissue-engineered cartilage. Facial Plast Surg 29(2):99-105, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23564241.
- Largo RD, Wettstein R, Fulco I, Tremp M, Schaefer DJ, Gubisch W, Haug MD. Three-dimensional laser surface scanning in rhinosurgery. Facial Plast Surg 29(2):116-20, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23564243.
- Elsherbiny A, Högger DC, Borozadi MK, Schmidt CA, Plock J, Largo RD, Lindenblatt N, Giovanoli P, Contaldo C. EPO reverses defective wound repair in hypercholesterolaemic mice by increasing functional angiogenesis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 65(11):1559-68, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22704605.
- Largo RD, Rudin MA, Hotz TK, Valderrabano V, Käch KK. Anatomic reconstruction of unstable lateral clavicular fractures. J Trauma 71(5):1348-51, 2011. PMID: 21610538.
- Kaempfen A, Daigeler A, Largo RD, Bader R, Arkudas A, Bleiziffer O, Frank J, Frick A, Huemer G, Kneser U, Scherrer D, Schwabegger A, Schaefer DJ, Pierer G, Hierner R. [Report of the Consensus Workshop on Microsurgical Training at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the German-speaking Group for Microsurgery of the Peripheral Nerves and Vessels in Basel 2010]. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 43(4):262-265, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21833881.
- Largo RD, Jung FJ, Calcagni M, Jandali AR. [Multicentric localised giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath on both hands with a focal infiltration of the extensor tendon: case report and review of the literature]. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 43(3):181-185, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21452113.
- Largo RD, Schaefer DJ, Krueger J, Harschnitz O, Zimmerer S, Jaquiéry C, Haug MD, Mariani L, Kunz C. Intracranial application of free fasciocutaneous flaps in a novel sandwich technique for skull base reconstruction. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 40(9):931-937, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21680151.
- Largo RD, Haecki J, Gueven S, Haug MD, Kalbermatten DF, Scherberich A, Schaefer DJ. Clinical management and safety aspects on autologous fat grafting to the female breast. Swiss Medical Forum, 2011.
Book Chapters
- Largo RD, Fulco I, Schaefer DJ. The Basel Treatment Concept on Pressure Sores. In: Update on Pressure Sore Treatment. REHAB Basel, 2012.
- Fulco I, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ. Pressure Sores in the Intensive Care Unit and in elderly patients. In: Update on Pressure Sore Treatment. REHAB Basel, 2012.
Letters to the Editor
- Oranges CM, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ. Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man: The ideal human proportions and the man as a measure of all things. Plast Reconstr Surg 137: 764e-765e, 2016.