Dr. Sammy Dowlatshahi

Dr. Sammy

Dedicated Orthoplastic and Reconstructive Microsurgeon

Arriyan Samandar Dowlatshahi, M.D., is affectionately known as Dr. Sammy among peers and patients. He is a well-respected surgeon, with a full time academic appointment at Harvard Medical School, performing hand and upper extremity surgery, reconstructive microsurgery, super-microsurgery, peripheral nerve and limb salvage procedures. He is the Director of the Orthoplastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service and Co-Director of the Limb Preservation Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

But there’s a lot more to Dr. Sammy than his unique education, credentials and experience. He’s also an individual with compassion and sensitivity who empathizes with his patients and truly cares about both their physical and their emotional well-being. As a patient of Dr. Sammy, you’re not seen as some sort of new surgical challenge. Rather, you’re treated as a human being who deserves to receive the best possible care.

A Unique Multidisciplinary Approach to Your Care

Dr. Sammy is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in both Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. He is one of a select group of specialists in America performing highly complex, multidisciplinary microsurgical reconstructions. His newly established Orthoplastic Surgery Service is an example of this unique approach.

He performs to the highest surgical standards with state-of-the-art techniques and incorporates the newest technology in his practice, including high-frequency portable ultrasound, 3D microscopic visualization, and the most advanced surgical microscopes with digital hybrid visualization, 4K technology and robotic capabilities.

Orthoplastic & Microsurgery

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Hand surgery

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Peripheral Nerve Surgery

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A Surgeon (and a Human Being)

Dr. Sammy’s patients appreciate his surgical skills as much as his genuine compassion and care. He has an innate ability to step outside his surgeon-self and see the issue from the patient’s perspective. He seeks absolutely the best solution to ensure each and every patient's well-being and optimal outcome and dedicating his innovative techniques, as well as time and energy pre- and post-surgery.


Surgery is a highly stressful situation that directly and permanently impacts patients’ lives. Procedures are often confusing and difficult for many people to fully understand. Dr. Sammy realizes this, which is why he takes the time to sit down with each of his patients and talk to them candidly and empathetically about their procedures.

During this traumatic period, patients need more than just a qualified surgeon to relieve their pain or restore their function. They require a compassionate and considerate human being to be there for them at their time of greatest need.

Dr. Sammy’s Ongoing
Pursuit of Excellence

Dr. Sammy has a mature practice and a significant patient following, but that doesn’t stop him from pushing the envelope in terms of advancing his education and surgical training, teaching and mentoring students, residents and fellows, writing abstracts and research papers, giving national and international presentations, educating peers, patients and the lay community, serving on committees and implementing clinical innovations.

He spends considerable time reflecting on what he can do better in order to achieve better results for his patients. In his opinion, this introspection and drive to improve every day are essential components to providing exceptional care.

Dr. Sammy’s scholarship is reflected in 19 publications and book chapters, with research investigations into topics such as carpal tunnel syndrome, breast reconstruction, microvascular free tissue transfer during COVID-19, wound healing and scarring, extensor tendon injuries, open fractures of the distal radius and other important subjects. Over the years, he has also presented numerous oral abstracts at regional, national and international professional conferences.

Dr. Sammy received his medical degree from Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany. Winning a nationwide competition, he was inducted into the prestigious German Academic Scholarship Foundation, which was followed by a plastic surgery internship in Freiburg.

Once in the U.S., Dr. Sammy completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts and a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at Harvard Medical School. He is a core faculty member of the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency Program, the Microsurgery Fellowship Program and the Hand Surgery Fellowship Program at BIDMC.

Dr. Sammy is actively involved in the education and mentorship of medical students, residents and fellows. He regularly gives lectures and seminars spanning the entire field of hand and upper limb surgery as well as lower extremity reconstruction and microsurgery. He regularly supervises plastic and orthopedic surgery residents, hand fellows and microvascular surgery fellows in ambulatory, inpatient and operating room settings.

Over his career, Dr. Sammy has been committed to advancing clinical, technological and scientific innovations within the fields of orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery. He is the founding Director of the Orthoplastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery Unit at BIDMC, the Co-Director of the Limb Preservation Center at BIDMC, founding member of the BIDMC Raynaud Clinic. sophistication and collaboration between specialties, leading to more positive patient outcomes.

He also directs a busy Orthoplastic Research Laboratory with multiple active investigations on the following topics:

-Gastrocnemius Flap outcomes and minimally invasive harvesting techniques
-Dupuytren’s Disease
-Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome
-Lower Extremity Exertional Compartment Syndrome
-Fascial tethers and the pseudoskeleton of the skin and subcutaneous tissues
-Readability of patient materials as they pertain to lower extremity reconstruction
-Management of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis
-OR workflows and efficiency in orthoplastic microvascular reconstruction

How can Dr. Sammy
help you?

Dr. Sammy’s unique multidisciplinary approach and earnest dedication enable him to meet your needs and ensure your comfort and healing with superior results.

For a more in-depth understanding of the surgeries, procedures and range of services offered by Dr. Sammy, please select one of the following sub-specialties.

Dr. Sammy
Dr. Sammy
Dr. Sammy
Make an Appointment

Dr. Sammy will initially see you at one of his office locations in Boston, Milton, Quincy or Cambridge. He will discuss your condition with you in detail and address your concerns. Depending on the type of surgery you require, Dr. Sammy operates at BIDMC in Boston, the New England Baptist Hospital, Milton Hospital and Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He also offers WALANT (Wide-Awake surgery under Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet).

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