In 1957, Dr. Harry J. Buncke was inspired by Mr. Thomas Gibson, pioneer of plastic surgery and bioengineering, to develop techniques for transplanting blocks of tissue on small vessels 1 mm in size. Seven years later, in March of 1964, he reported the first successful rabbit ear replantation to the Plastic Surgical Research Council meeting. He and his wife, Constance Buncke, M.D., performed the first great toe-to-thumb transplant in the rhesus monkey in 1964. These early achievements revolutionized the management of hand trauma throughout the world.

Dr. Buncke performed the first human toe-to-hand transplant, scalp replant, serratus-combined-latissimus microvascular transplant, four-digit replant and multiple microvascular simultaneous transplant in the United States.

Over 200 clinical fellows, 80 research fellows, and 100 surgical residents have trained at the Buncke Microsurgery Foundation. Twenty-seven of these trainees have subsequently become department chairmen or co-chairmen. More than 500 clinical and research articles, books and chapters have been published from the Buncke Microsurgery service.

Education
- Taft School , Watertown, Connecticut, 1940
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1947
- 1940 - 1943 Industrial Engineering, interrupted by World War II
- 1946 - 1947 Pre-medical. Secretary, President, Theta Delta Chi
Fraternity, Lehigh

Medical Education
- New York Medical College, 1951
- General Surgery, 1951-1954
- Plastic Surgery, Cornell Medical School, New York Hospital, 1954 - 1956
- Marks Fellow, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Sussex, England, 1956
- Senior Registrar, Plastic Surgical and Burn Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, 1957
- Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1958

Offices Held
- Vice President , American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 1978
- President-Elect, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 1979
- President, American Society for Surgery of the Hand,1980
- Vice President, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 1980
- President-Elect, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 1981
- President, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 1982
- Board of Trustees, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, 1983
- Council, American Society for Surgery of the Hand,1981 - 1983
Board of Directors, Educational Foundation of the Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Past Executive Committee, American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1983
- Chairman-International Society of Reconstructive Microsurger, 1977
- Scientific Advisor, Annales Medicaies de nancy et de L'Est San Mateo County Medical Society


Professional Positions
- Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
- Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto
- Director, Division of Microsurgical Replantation Transplantation Service, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
- Director, American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1976-1982

• See Dr Buncke's Awards