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Ryo Karakawa
Ryo Karakawa, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS
After graduating from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine in 2014 and completing specialist training in plastic surgery at the University of Tokyo Hospital, I joined the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Cancer Institute Hospital in 2018 and became Chief Surgeon in 2024. My practice focuses on reconstructive microsurgery, including breast reconstruction, head and neck reconstruction, extremity and trunk reconstruction after sarcoma resection, and surgical treatment of lymphedema. I also practice aesthetic surgery, particularly facial rejuvenation, grounded in the anatomical understanding and tissue handling developed through reconstructive surgery.
Career
Education & Appointments
2008
Graduated from Nada High School
2014
MD, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
2014
Surgical Resident, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
2016
Plastic Surgery Fellow, The University of Tokyo Hospital
2018
Staff Surgeon, Cancer Institute Hospital / Part-time Physician, Head and Neck Oncology Center, Showa University Hospital
2020
Fellowship in Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, India
2021
Deputy Chief Surgeon, Cancer Institute Hospital / Medical Device Development Center
2024
Chief Surgeon, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital
2024
Adjunct Lecturer, Head and Neck Oncology Center, Showa University Hospital
2026
Practicing at Kai Clinic Tokyo (current)
2026
Visiting Professor, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
2026
Visiting Professor, Center for Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications
Credentials
Credentials & Memberships
- MD, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
- PhD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
- MBA, Master of Business Administration
- Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- JSPRS Certified Instructor in Reconstructive and Microsurgery
- Board Certified Specialist and Councilor, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons（F.A.C.S.）
Awards
Awards
2026
JSPRS 69th Annual Meeting, Academic Encouragement Award, Award of Excellence
2024
JSPRS 67th Annual Meeting, Academic Encouragement Award, Award of Excellence
2023
JSPRS 66th Annual Meeting, Best Presentation Award
2022
Japanese Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, International Traveling Fellow
2022
11th Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Cancun — Second Place, Best Case Competition
Awarded for a facial reconstruction case presentation that included total nasal reconstruction.
2020
JSPRS 63rd Annual Meeting, JSPRS Award of Excellence
2020
Ganga-Ethicon Advanced Fellowship in Hand and Reconstructive Surgery
Publications
Publications & Books
Peer-reviewed original articles: 43 as first or corresponding author and 40 as co-author. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery、Microsurgery、JPRAS、 Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery Additional work has also been published. A full list, together with invited lectures and invited surgery at international meetings, is available on the Academic page.
The complete publication record is also available on researchmap.