Enhancing international cooperation in microsurgery: Leading South Korean expert visits Tam Anh Research Institute

The visit of Professor Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, a world-renowned expert in reconstructive microsurgery from Asan Medical Center (South Korea), to Tam Anh Research Institute marks a significant step forward in academic exchange, international collaboration, and the transfer of advanced microsurgical expertise.

This visit is part of the seminar titled “Applications of Reconstructive Microsurgery in Lymphedema Management Following Breast Cancer Treatment,” scheduled for April 25, 2026. The event is expected to establish a foundation for long-term collaboration between international experts and domestic physicians, aiming to enhance the capacity for treating complex pathologies.

Integrating international knowledge and enhancing therapeutic capacity

During his working visit at Tam Anh Research Institute, Professor Hong will share clinical experiences and advanced microsurgical techniques, with a particular focus on managing lymphedema following breast cancer treatment, a condition that severely impacts patients’ quality of life. This initiative not only updates professional knowledge but also fosters bilateral academic exchange, thereby accelerating the integration of global medical advancements into clinical practice in Vietnam.

Professor Hong is a pioneer in the application of modern microsurgical techniques. He consistently aims to maximize functional preservation and improve the quality of life for patients. Through this visit, he will impart practical experiences and advanced microsurgical techniques, particularly in managing complex sequelae such as lymphedema in post-treatment breast cancer patients.

Professor Hong obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Medicine from Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. To optimize his healthcare management capabilities, he subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California (USA). He currently serves as a Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine and holds key clinical positions at Asan Medical Center, including roles within the Asan Diabetes Center, the Level 1 Trauma Team, and the Peripheral Artery Disease Center.

A pioneer in reconstructive microsurgery

Professor Hong’s primary research and clinical practice focus on wound healing, diabetic foot reconstruction, and microsurgery. Guided by a patient-centered philosophy, he was among the first surgeons to adopt the “reconstructive elevator” concept. This represents a paradigm shift from the traditional “reconstructive ladder” approach. Instead of progressing sequentially from simple to complex procedures, the surgeon immediately applies the most advanced and appropriate technique to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes, facilitating rapid patient recovery.

One of his highly innovative approaches is the utilization of duplex ultrasound for preoperative vascular mapping, which allows for the precise identification of perforators, blood flow velocity, and vascular anatomy. He particularly emphasizes the necessity of timely reconstruction to mitigate the risks of re-occlusion and minimize inflammation.

Professor Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, alongside his colleagues at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center

Extensive research contributions and global influence

Professor Hong possesses a substantial research portfolio, comprising over 160 scientific publications and contributions to 24 book chapters, including the foundational textbook Plastic Surgery by Peter C. Neligan. His academic prestige is further affirmed by his role on the editorial boards of several internationally renowned journals, such as Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, International Wound Journal, and the Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery.

His relentless dedication has been recognized by the international medical community. In 2015, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) awarded him the “Godina Travelling Fellowship,” a prestigious honor in microsurgery bestowed annually upon a single individual for outstanding contributions. Furthermore, a recent survey conducted by the International Microsurgery Club (IMC), encompassing over 19,200 members, identified Professor Hong as one of the two most influential figures in microsurgery worldwide.

Professor Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, receiving the prestigious Maliniac Lecturer Award

He is an active member of numerous esteemed organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. His global influence is evidenced by invitations to lecture in over 80 countries and his appointments as a visiting professor at more than 20 medical institutions worldwide.

The seminar “Applications of Reconstructive Microsurgery in Lymphedema Management Following Breast Cancer Treatment” will be held on April 25, 2026.

The advancements spearheaded by Professor Hong underscore the profound value of reconstructive microsurgery in modern medicine. These innovations offer patients renewed hope in alleviating post-cancer treatment sequelae, most notably lymphedema following breast cancer surgery – a condition affecting approximately 200 million individuals globally. The seminar will feature Professor Joon Pio Hong alongside leading experts from the United States. It is anticipated to introduce multimodal protocols that integrate microsurgery with biotechnology to reconstruct the lymphatic system, thereby reducing edema and improving limb function for patients.