Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
We provide surgical services for a range of conditions and injuries.
Who we are
The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery treats a variety of surgical conditions for patients across Adelaide and regional South Australia.
We perform more than 3,000 surgeries and manage around 8,000 outpatients annually.
We are a clinical, research and teaching facility with close links to the University of Adelaide, as well as strong relationships with other local, national and international surgical and academic units.
Our objective is to advance plastic surgical knowledge and understanding through scholarship, research, teaching and community service.
Services include:
- brachial plexus and nerve injury management
- breast reconstruction
- burns management
- complex wound management
- facial trauma surgery
- general plastic surgery
- hand surgery
- head and neck cancer service
- melanoma and skin cancer and soft tissue tumour management
- microsurgery
- trauma surgery
- aesthetic surgery, follows the SA Health Restricted Elective Surgery Policy Directive. We do not manage purely aesthetic (cosmetic) cases.
Where to find us
Outpatient Department, Level 3 (ground floor), Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Check appointment information and screens on arrival at the RAH, for the specific location.
Who we are
Consultants
- Dr Yugesh Caplash– Head of Unit
You need a referral from a GP or medical practitioner to access this service.
Once your referral has been received it will be triaged according to clinical urgency.
If your referral is accepted, you will either:
- receive a letter, phone call or text message confirming your appointment time, date and location
- receive a letter confirming you have been waitlisted for an appointment.
If the referral is declined, your GP or referring medical practitioner will be notified.
Outpatient services
Find out information about specialist outpatient appointments, how to be referred, plus information when attending an outpatient clinic.
Your outpatient appointment
Contact us to:
- change your appointment time
- cancel your appointment
- find out triage status
- general outpatient enquiries.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment time, let us know as soon as possible.
Preparing for surgery
The healthier you are going into surgery, the stronger you will be coming out. Find tips and resources to help you get ready for surgery.
We accept GP and specialist referrals to this service.
eReferrals are preferred.
Use the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) as a referral guide.
To ensure timely triage, include all demographic and clinical details.
The service triages referrals according to clinical urgency.
Urgent and serious referrals
If you are concerned about the appointment being delayed or if the patient's condition is deteriorating, contact the registrar to discuss.
Registrars are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Patients requiring immediate assessment should be sent directly to the Emergency Department.
Discharge guidelines
Patients whose medical condition has stabilised or resolved, and where no further appointment has been made, will be formally discharged.
If medical assessment is required again, a new referral should be made explaining the reason.