Reconstructive surgery Perth
Reconstructive surgery procedures: what you need to know
Dr Jeremy Rawlins
Located at Murdoch Square
Treatment by a qualified specialist surgeon
Short waiting list
What is reconstructive surgery?
"Though the focus is on repairing and restoring, we also improve appearance if this is necessary. With reconstructive surgery, these two objectives often go hand in hand."
Types of reconstructive surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery: for women who have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy
Reconstructive surgery after skin cancer and melanoma: for people who have had skin cancer surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery
"There are two types of breast reconstruction. We either use a breast implant (implant based reconstruction) or we use tissue from another part of your body (autologous or flap reconstruction) to reshape your breast. We may use a combination of techniques in some patients."
"It’s understandable to feel anxious when considering reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. During our consultation, I’ll talk you through the available options and support you in choosing an approach that aligns with your goals and recovery."
Reconstructive surgery after skin cancer and melanoma
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia. Many skin cancers are removed surgically, and when caught early, treatment is usually straightforward. Most are non-melanoma skin cancers, which tend not to spread beyond the original site.
For a melanoma, a highly malignant type of skin cancer, we often need to make a much wider and deeper excision. In many cases, this will require a skin graft or skin flap to repair the defect.
Melanoma can also spread through your body, and to find out if it has, we may do extra investigations.
Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy: this is a surgical procedure to check if the melanoma has spread to your lymphatic system. During a sentinel lymph node procedure, we identify the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node to which cancer cells may have spread. We will remove this node, and examine it to check if cancer cells are present.
Reconstructive upper limb and hand surgery
The hand is made up of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves, making it one of the most complex parts of the body. Because many of these structures are just a few millimetres in diameter, microsurgery is often used to repair them.
When is reconstructive hand surgery needed?
Trauma: You may have an injury caused by an accident or a fracture
Infection: Infection often happens in patients with diabetes because of poor blood circulation
Overuse: injuries An example is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Congenital deformities: These deformities are present at birth
Degenerative conditions: Dupuytrens contracture, arthritis
Lower limb reconstruction
"First we focus on restoring normal blood circulation and critical structures such as blood vessels and nerves. Then we look if we need to move tissue from other parts of your body to the affected area. A skin graft or muscle/tissue flaps from surrounding skin may be necessary."
"In some cases, we may replace bone using grafts taken from another part of the body. This involves reconnecting blood vessels through microsurgery. These techniques are used to restore structure and support healing in complex injuries"
Maxillofacial reconstruction
"To reconstruct facial structures, we may use skin, bone, or muscle from another part of your body. This involves reconnecting blood vessels to support tissue survival. In some cases, implants or prosthetics may be used to restore form and support function."
Burn care
"In burn care, I offer a range of reconstructive approaches depending on the severity and stage of healing. My clinical focus continues to evolve with advances in burn surgery and scar management"
Burns reconstruction and acute burn care is a personal passion for Dr Rawlins, and he is involved in local, national and international research in this area. Jeremy Rawlins is the President of the Australia/New Zealand Burn Association.
Why Dr Jeremy Rawlins as your preferred Perth reconstructive surgeon?
"What I value in my work - beyond delivering excellent surgical care to every patient - is clear communication. I believe you deserve to be heard. I also believe I am a good listener and my patients tell me that they appreciate my efforts to give them clear information. It’s about your health, and your reconstructive journey."
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Locations
Murdoch Square
Suite 104, Level 1, Tower C
44 Barry Marshall Parade
Murdoch, WA 6150
Phone number
08 9425 5260Office hours
Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm
Closed for public holidays