ABOUT OUR SURGEONS

Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic

“Every patient is different. We take the time to understand your needs and suggest the best treatment. However, when it comes to surgery, standards, safety and routine are required to deliver consistent and safe results.”

Pfeil runter
Prof. Simunovic im Behandlungszimmer

CONTENT

Portrait Prof. Dr. Simunovic

CV

Memberships

Publications

Prof. Dr. Simunovic: Plastic & aesthetic surgeon

Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and grew up in Split, Croatia. He moved to Heidelberg to study medicine. His enthusiasm for science and surgery has formed his path since the first years of medical school. He completed a doctoral thesis in neurosurgery in Heidelberg before continuing his research work at Harvard University in Boston, USA.

After he got exposed to the diverse challenges of plastic surgery, he decided to pursue specialist training in this discipline. He got the opportunity to do so at the famous Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery at the Freiburg University Hospital. He completed residency training in 2017. Since then, Prof. Simunovic has also worked at the Erich Lexer Clinic for Plastic-Aesthetic Surgery in Freiburg. This was followed by an appointment as consultant plastic surgeon. In 2020, he acquired the additional qualification as hand surgeon. His clinical work during this time covered the entire spectrum of plastic, aesthetic and hand surgery.

Prof. Dr. Simunovic is continuously pursuing and developing his research interests, which revolve around tissue engineering of bone and nerve tissue. For his efforts, he has received the Habilitation by the Faculty of Medicine in Freiburg in 2019, and the title of associate professor in 2022. In 2023 his research grant was founded by the German Research Foundation, allowing him to investigate how blood vessels influence the growth of peripheral nerve fibers. He maintains regular teaching responsibilities at the Faculty of Medicine in Freiburg. 

Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic has published numerous scientific articles in the most renowned journals, as well as several book chapters. He works as a scientific reviewer for leading plastic surgery publications. He regularly takes part in important national and international conferences. Through these activities, as well as through constant exchange with renowned colleagues at home and abroad, Prof. Dr. Simunovic always strives to expand his range of treatments and is always up to date in the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery.

Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic

CV

  • 2023
    Co-founder of the private practice Aesthemedica in Freiburg
  • 2022
    Assistant professor
  • 2021-2023
    Interim professorship for plastic and hand surgery at the University of Freiburg
  • 2020-2022
    Consultant
  • 2020
    Specialist in hand surgery
  • 2019
    Habilitation in the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery
  • 2017 – 2022
    Erich-Lexer Clinic for Aesthetic-Plastic Surgery in cooperation with the Freiburg University Hospital
  • 2017
    Specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery
  • 2011 – 2017
    Residency, Clinic for Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg
  • 2008 and 2010
    Doctoral and postdoctoral research at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
  • 2006 – 2011
    Doctoral student, Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital
  • 2005 – 2009
    Medical School, University of Heidelberg
  • 2003 – 2005
    Medical School, University of Split, Croatia
Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic

Prof. Dr. med. Simunovic

I often ask patients after facial procedures what the feedback is from those around them. If people who know nothing about the treatment say that the patient looks fresher, more rested or happier without being able to say what has changed on her face – then I am satisfied.

BOOK APPOINTMENT ONLINE
Jameda Siegel

Prof. Dr. Filip Simunovic is member in following professional associations:

Filip Simunovic – jameda.de

jameda Quality Certificate 2022

Publications

Originals as first author

  1. Simunovic, Filip; Bonaventura, Bastian; Schneider, Laura; Horner, Verena K.; Weber, Janick; Stark, G. Björn; Kalash, Ziad. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System Predicts Postoperative Complications After Abdominoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2021 Nov 1;87(5):556-561
  2. Simunovic F, Winninger O, Strassburg S, Koch HG, Finkenzeller G, Stark GB, Lampert FM. Increased differentiation and production of extracellular matrix components of primary human osteoblasts after cocultivation with endothelial cells: A quantitative proteomics approach. J Cell Biochem. 2019 Jan;120(1):396-404
  3. F. Simunovic, U. Wittel, B. Passlick, S. Wiesemann, M. Czerny, M. Südkamp, G. B. Stark, H. Bannasch. Epifaszial verlagerte tiefe inferiore epigastrische Gefäße als Anschlussgefäße für die mikrochirurgische Rekonstruktion komplexer onkochirurgischer Defekte des Abdomens und des Oberschenkels. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 2018; 50: 1–10
  4. Simunovic F, Schlager S, Montanari M, Iblher N. Prospective 3D analysis of facial soft tissue augmentation with calcium hydroxylapatite. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2017 Oct;19(5):283-289.
  5. Simunovic, F., Eisenhardt, S.U., Penna, V., Thiele, J.R., Stark, G.B., Bannasch, H. Microsurgical Reconstruction of Oncological Scalp Defects in the Elderly. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2016
  6. Schmidt, Y.*, Simunovic, F.*, Strassburg, S., Pfeifer D., Stark, G.B., Finkenzeller, G. miR-126 regulates platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha expression and migration of primary human osteoblasts. Biol Chem. 2015 Jan 1;396(1):61-70.
    *Geteilte Erstautorenschaft
  7. Simunovic, F.*, Steiner, D. *, Pfeifer, D., Stark, G.B., Finkenzeller, G., Lampert, F. Transcription of extracellular matrix components and proangiogenic factors is increased in endothelial cells after cocultivation with primary human osteoblasts. J Cell Biochem. 2013 Jul;114(7):1584-94.
    *Geteilte Erstautorenschaft
  8. Simunovic F, Koulaxouzidis G, Stark GB, Torio-Padron N. Infraareolar pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap as treatment of first choice for deep sternal wound infection. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013 Feb;66(2):187-92.
  9. Simunovic, F., Yi, M., Stephens, R., Sonntag, K. Gender-specific transcriptional profiles of nigral dopamine neurons in Parkinson disease. PLoS One. 2010 Jan 25;5(1):e8856.
  10. Simunovic, F., Yi, M., Macey, L., Brown, L.T., Krichevsky, A.M., Stephens, R., Benes, F.,
    Sonntag, K.-C. Gene expression profiling of substantia nigra dopamine neurons: Further insights into Parkinson disease pathology. Brain. 2009 Jul;132(pt 7): 1795-809.

Originals as additional author

  1. J. Kiefer, M. Mutschler, Ph. Kurz, G.B. Stark, H. Bannasch, F. Simunovic. Accuracy of core needle biopsy for histologic diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma. Scientific Reports. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 3;12(1):1886
  2. Bonaventura B, Weber J, Kalash Z, Stark GB, Simunovic F. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System as a predictor for postoperative complications after medial thigh lift in massive weight loss patients. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Apr 20;S1748-6815(21)00197-2
  3. Kraus D, Oettinger F, Kiefer J, Bannasch H, Stark GB, Simunovic F. Efficacy and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Follow-Up of Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities and Trunk. J Oncol. 2021 Apr 27;2021:5580431.
  4. Göpper MW, Neubauer J, Kalash Z, Stark GB, Simunovic F. Improved accuracy of breast volume calculation from 3D surface imaging data using statistical shape models. PLoS One. 2020 Nov 24;15(11):e0233586.
  5. Patrick Rukavina, Fritz Koch, Maximilian Wehrle, Kevin Tröndle, G. Björn Stark, Peter Koltay, Stefan Zimmermann, Roland Zengerle, Florian Lampert, Sandra Strassburg, Günter Finkenzeller and Filip Simunovic. In vivo evaluation of bioprinted pre-vascularized bone tissue. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2020 Aug 4. doi: 10.1002/bit.27527
  6. Strassburg S, Nabar N, Lampert F, Goerke SM, Pfeifer D, Finkenzeller G, Stark GB, Simunovic F. Calmodulin Regulated Spectrin Associated Protein 1 mRNA is Directly Regulated by miR-126 in Primary Human Osteoblasts. J Cell Biochem. 2017 Jul;118(7):1756-1763.
  7. Schmidt Y, Biniossek M, Stark GB, Finkenzeller G, Simunovic F. Osteoblastic alkaline phosphatase mRNA is stabilized by binding to vimentin intermediary filaments. Biol Chem. 2015 Mar;396(3):253-60.
  8. Torio-Padron N, Björn Stark G, Földi E, Simunovic F. Treatment of male genital lymphedema: An integrated concept. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2015 Feb;68(2):262-8.

Originals as co-author

  1. Burchak V, Koch F, Siebler L, Haase S, Horner VK, Kempter X, Stark GB, Schepers U, Grimm A, Zimmermann S, Koltay P, Strassburg S, Finkenzeller G, Simunovic F, Lampert F. Evaluation of a Novel Thiol-Norbornene-Functionalized Gelatin Hydrogel for Bioprinting of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 19;23(14):7939.
  2. Weber J, Simunovic F, Kalash Z, Bonaventura B. Prolonged Postoperative Antibiotic Administration Reduces Complications After Medial Thigh Lift. Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. 2021 Dec; 20:1-8.
  3. Sandra Strassburg, Madeline Caduc, Gerhard Bjoern Stark, Nicole Jedrusik, Pascal Tomakidi, Thorsten Steinberg, Filip Simunovic, Günter Finkenzeller. In Vivo Evaluation of an Electrospun Gelatin Nonwoven Mat for Regeneration of Epithelial Tissues. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2019;107(8):1605–1614.
  4. Zajonc H, Grill B, Simunovic F, Iblher N, Stark GB, Penna V. Vergleich der Abduktor Pollicis Longus Resektions-Suspensionsarthroplastiken nach Lundborg und Sirotakova zur Therapie der Rhizarthrose. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2016.
  5. Lampert FM, Simunovic F, Finkenzeller G, Pfeifer D, Stark GB, Winninger O, Steiner D. Transcriptomic Changes in Osteoblasts Following Endothelial Cell-Cocultivation Suggest a Role of Extracellular Matrix in Cellular Interaction. J Cell Biochem. 2016 Jan 11.
  6. Koulaxouzidis, G., Reim G., Simunovic, F., Fluhr, J., Stark, G.B., Witzel., C. In situ deactivation of interleukin-6 enhances early peripheral nerve regeneration in a murine injury model. 2015. J Rec Microsurg. 2015 Sep;31(7):508-15.
  7. Goerke SM, Kiefer LS, Stark GB, Simunovic F, Finkenzeller G. mir-126 modulates angiogenic growth parameters of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells. Biol Chem. 2015 Mar;396(3):245-52.
  8. Koulaxouzidis G, Momeni A, Simunovic F, Lampert F, Bannasch H, Stark GB: Aesthetic Surgery performed by Plastic Surgery Residents – An Analysis of Safety and Patient Satisfaction. Ann Plas Surg. 2014 Dec;73(6):696-700.
  9. W. Kim, Y. Lee, N. D. McKenna, M. Yi, F. Simunovic, Y. Wang, B. Kong, R. J. Rooney, H. Seo, R. Stephens, K. C. Sonntag. miR-126 contributes to Parkinson disease by dysregulating IGF-1/PI3K signaling. Neurobiol Aging. 2014 Jul;35(7):1712-21.
  10. Koulaxouzidis G, Simunovic F, Stark GB. Shoulder silhouette and axilla reconstruction with free composite elbow tissue transfer following interscapulothoracic amputation. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2014 Jan;67(1):81-6.
  11. Zweckberger, K., Simunovic, F., Kiening, K.L., Unterberg, A.W., Sakowitz, O.W. Effects of lisuride hydrogen maleate on pericontusional tissue metabolism, brain edema formation, and contusion volume development after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2011 Jul 25;499(3):189-93.
  12. Seibler, P., Graziotto, J., Jeong, H., Simunovic, F., Klein, C., Krainc, D. Mitochondrial Parkin recruitment is impaired in neurons derived from mutant PINK1 iPS cells. J Neurosci. 2011 Apr 20;31(16):5970-6.
  13. Zweckberger K., Simunovic F., Kiening K.L., Unterberg A.W., Sakowitz O.W. Anticonvulsive effects of the dopamine agonist lisuride maleate after experimental traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Lett. 2010 Feb 12;470(2):150-4.

Reviews and case studies

  1. L. A. Schneider, V. K. Horner, B. Bonaventura, F. Simunovic. Schmerzen nach Verwendung eines Chitosan-Neurowraps bei Medianusverletzung/Pain following chitosan neurotube wrap for median nerve lesion. Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie. 2023
  2. Simunovic, Filip; Finzenzeller, Günter. Vascularization Strategies in Bone Tissue Engineering. Cells 2021, 10(7), 1749
  3. Filip Simunovic, G. Björn Stark. Die autologe Genioplastik. Plastische Chirurgie 19:141-144. 2019
  4. Koulaxouzidis G, Simunovic F, Bannasch H: Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Arm – Oncosurgical and Reconstructive Principles within a Multimodal, Interdisciplinary Setting. Front Surg. 2016 Feb 23;3:12. 2016. Review.
  5. N. Iblher, F. Simunovic, S. Manegold, G.B. Stark. Journal für Ästhetische Chirurgie. Jan 2014.
  6. Koulaxouzidis G, Simunovic F, Bannasch H. Was gibt es Neues zu Weichteilsarkomen der Extremitäten? In: Was gibt es Neues in der Chirurgie? Jahresband 2013. Jähne J, Königsrainer A, Südkamp N, Schröder W (ed.) Ecomed, Hüthig Jehle Rehm GmbH. Heidelberg, München, Landsberg, Frechen, Hamburg 2013.
  7. G. Koulaxouzidis, A. Momeni, F. Simunovic, H. Bannasch, G.B. Stark, N. Torio-Padron. Die Qualität ästhetisch-chirurgischer Eingriffe an der Brust durch Weiterbildungsassistenten der Plastischen Chirurgie. Senologie – Zeitschrift für Mammadiagnostik und -therapie 2012; 9 – A89
  8. Simunovic F., Jurk V, Stark GB, Torio-Padron N. Volar dislocation and hook fracture of the hamate: a case report. Hand Surg (Asian Volume). 2012;17(3):387-90.
  9. Simunovic, V.J., Hozo, I., Rakic, M., Jukic, M., Tomic, S., Kokic, S., Ljutic, D., Druzijanic, N., Grkovic, I., Simunovic, F., Marasovic, D. New Paradigm in Training of Undergraduate Clinical Skills (NEPTUNE-CS). Croat Med J. 2010 Oct 15;51(5):373-80.
  10. Simunovic, F., Simunovic VJ. Clinical Skills Training: Two Generations and Two Worlds Apart. Part Two. Acta Medica Academica. 2010 39(1):30-41.
  11. Simunovic, F., Simunovic VJ. Clinical Skills Training: Two Generations and Two Worlds Apart. Part One. Acta Medica Academica. 2009 38(2):70-76.
  12. Sonntag, K.-C., Simunovic, F. and Sanchez-Pernaute, R. Stem Cells and Cell Replacement Therapy for Parkinson Disease. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2009;(73):287-99.
  13. Simunovic, F. Is There a Place for Medical Students in Research Laboratories? Medical Teacher. 2008;30(9-10):875-6.
  14. Simunovic, F. The other side. StudentBMJ. 2006;14:1-44.