Watch Dr. Teunis discuss complex brachial plexus nerve injury repair
Teun Teunis, MD, PhD is a board-certified plastic surgeon through the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery and a board-certified hand surgeon through the European Board of Hand Surgery. Dr. Teunis serves as assistant professor in the UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery and is leader of the Limb Salvage, Neurosurgical, and Brachial Plexus Reconstruction Service Lines.
Dr. Teunis’ primary clinical focus includes hand and upper extremity surgery, complex reconstructive surgery after injury or cancer, including limb salvage and amputation, and peripheral nerve surgery. His surgical expertise encompasses: fractures and injuries of the forearm and hand; common hand and wrist problems; complex microvascular reconstruction around the body, including limb replantation; and complex nerve problems, including brachial and lumbar plexus injuries, or reconstruction after stroke or spinal cord injury.
Education and Training
Dr. Teunis earned his medical degree cum laude from Utrecht University. He performed his PhD research at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, followed by residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at University Medical Center Utrecht. He completed fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the orthopedics department of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Research and Academic Interests
Dr. Teunis’ research interests include outcomes after hand, reconstructive and peripheral nerve surgery, with a special interest in the effects of mental and social health. Additionally he is a pioneer in the application of Bayesian analysis to clinical research. He has published over a hundred peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international meetings.
Procedures Dr. Teunis Performs
• Forearm and hand injuries, such a distal radius fractures and tendon lacerations;
• Common and uncommon hand problems, such carpal tunnel syndrome and dupuytren’s disease;
• Limb salvage with (microvascular) flaps and amputation, including target muscle reinnervation;
• Nerve problems of the arm and leg, including lumbar and brachial plexus reconstruction, and arm reconstruction after stroke or spinal cord injury;
• Reconstruction of head, neck, back and chest wounds, and abdominal hernias.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Teunis received numerous awards for both clinical and academic excellence, including a Faculty Teaching Awards from the UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery and from the University of Pittsburgh. His academic performance has been recognized by Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery journal, and the Journal of Hand Surgery European. He has earned top research awards from international surgical societies, including the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies.
Professional Leadership and Affiliations
Dr. Teunis serves as editorial board member for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and assistant editor for the Journal of Hand Surgery European. He is an active member of ASSH, ASPN, and ASRM.