Plastic Surgery

The Plastic Surgery Unit at the WCH cares for children with elective and emergency problems. In addition to general plastic surgery, particular areas of interest include:

• Congenital hand problems
• Brachial plexus injury
• Breast surgery
• Ear reconstruction
• Vascular malformations
• Hand trauma (fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, amputations)
• Facial trauma
• Reconstructive surgery post trauma and tumour surgery
• Skin lesions
• Scar management

We are also closely associated with the Burns Unit at the WCH.

For emergency assistance, your child should be brought to the Hospital's Emergency Department for assessment. A referral will be made to the Plastic Surgery team if required. In rural or remote areas, it may be wise to be seen by your local doctor first. Your doctor will consult with the registrar in Plastic Surgery for advice or to arrange for your child to be brought to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

For all other situations, access to our service is through the Outpatient Department. A doctor's referral letter should be sent to:

Corporate Administration Services
Level 1
Clarence Rieger Building
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia 5006

Or faxed to: (08) 8161 6246

Please indicate if an interpreter is needed. An appointment will be sent out on receipt of the referral.

Hours

Elective surgery and outpatient review is undertaken during normal working hours – a time will be given to you for an appointment.

For emergency care, the WCH Paediatric Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A member of the Plastic Surgery Unit can be contacted by the Emergency Department or local doctor as required.

Location

Level 2, Queen Victoria Building

Note: Outpatient Clinics are held in the Paediatric Outpatient Department.

Plastic surgery uses surgical and non-surgical techniques (such as specialised dressings) to optimise function and cosmesis for each given deformity or injury.

Each child is clinically assessed and appropriate investigations (such as Xrays) will be arranged if required. An individualised plan is then discussed with you and your child to best manage their particular problem.

Please bring any relevant X-rays.

Please contact the Outpatient Department prior to the appointment time if an interpreter is needed.

Wards

All procedures are performed in the Rogerson Theatre complex.

Elective patients will be cared for in the Day of Surgery Admissions (DOSA) Ward.

Day Surgery cases are nursed after surgery in the Day Surgery Ward, and overnight stay patients in Campbell Ward.

Emergency or predicted longer stay cases will be cared for in the appropriate ward for their age:

• Rose Ward – age less than 6 months
• Newland Ward – most children
• Adolescent Ward – adolescents

Plastic surgery and dressing information

• Acticoat dressing
  
• Hand fracture
• Mepilex Ag dressing
• Nailbed injury repair
• Pain management after short stay surgery
• Topical negative pressure wound therapy – discharge information (VAC dressing®)

Phone

• (08) 8161 7000 (switchboard will contact the Emergency Department or on call Plastic Surgical registrar in emergencies)
• (08) 8161 7399 (outpatient referrals)
  
• (08) 8161 7340 (department)
  

Email

cywhsplasticsurgery1@health.sa.gov.au

Fax

(08) 8161 7057 (department)

Head, Plastic Surgery

Dr Michelle Lodge

All surgeons working at the Plastic Surgery Unit are members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Further information is available through their website.

The unit has a policy of regular clinical review and audit. Individual research projects are undertaken regularly. Please contact the department if you have particular queries.