Public Service

Auckland Regional Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery

Description

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery covers a wide range of different surgical procedures that repair, reconstruct or replace structures in many different parts of the body including the skin, face and head, hands, breast and stomach. Plastic surgery does not involve the use of plastic materials.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed on parts of the body that are abnormal or have been affected by a birth defect, accident or disease. This includes cleft lip and palate repair, scar revision or reconstruction (including skin grafts) following burns. Surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to bring the appearance of a part of the body as close as possible to normal.

Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery Services Provided by Counties Manukau Health
Counties Manukau Health Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery services are located in South Auckland at Middlemore Hospital and Manukau SuperClinic™.

The Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery service at CMDHB is one of the four regional plastic surgery centres in New Zealand and provides services to people who live in the Counties Manukau, Auckland, Waitemata and Northland DHB areas.

Referral Expectations

Acute Patients – Middlemore Hospital
If you have an urgent problem requiring immediate surgical assessment you are referred acutely to the Emergency Care Department where you are initially seen by the plastic surgical junior medical staff who will decide whether you need to be admitted to Middlemore hospital. Investigations will be performed as required, and the more senior members of the team involved where necessary.

Outpatients – Manukau SuperClinic™
If the problem is not urgent, your GP will write a letter to the Department requesting an appointment in the outpatient clinic. Waiting times for the clinics depend on the urgency of each case and vary from 2 weeks to 6 months.

You will have an initial consultation with your plastic surgeon who will assess your general health and discuss the best type of surgical procedure for you. You will be given instructions on medications to avoid before surgery.

Clinics are held in Module 5, Manukau SuperClinic™; Monday to Friday 8am - 4.30pm.

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

Breast Reconstruction

The goal of breast reconstruction surgery is to reconstruct an alternative breast mound, which resembles the form and characteristics of a normal breast.… More
Breast Reduction

Surgery to reduce large sized breasts. Glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed and the breast is reshaped.… More
Cleft Lip & Palate

In Auckland, children with cleft lip/palate are cared for by the Plastic Surgery Department at Middlemore Hospital.… More
Craniosynostosis

This occurs when the bones of an infant’s skull fuse together before the brain has finished expanding.… More
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

The appearance of ears that are misshapen or protruding (‘bat ears’) can be improved surgically.… More
Hand Surgery

Problems with the appearance or function of the hand can be the result of injury, birth defects or degenerative conditions.… More
Malignant (cancerous) Skin Lesions

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are generally slow growing and unlikely to spread to other parts of the body.… More
Upper and Lower Limb Abnormalities

Congenital hands More

Charges

There are no charges for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the Eligibility Directions specified criteria set by the Ministry of Health. If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your stay.

To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website.

For any applicable charges, please phone the Accounts Receivable Office on (09) 276 0060.