Procedures

From general plastic surgery to highly sub-specialised reconstructive microsurgery, Eldon Mah is highly skilled and trusted, with a patient-focused approach.

General Plastic Surgery

Min

Skin cancer is very common in Australia. Most skin cancer treatments are straightforward with excellent outcome but can be quite complicated on occasions especially if it was neglected for long periods. Early detection and intervention, regular skin checks and preventative measures are all important components of skin cancer management.

Skin cancer surgery is a significant part of Dr Mah’s work, particularly surgery around the face, head and neck. This longstanding involvement is reflected by his high volume skin cancer practice; contribution to the “Optimal Care Pathways for People with BCC or SCC” guidelines sponsored by Cancer Council; and an active member of the complex skin cancer Multi-Disciplinary Meeting in both public and private sectors.

Hand is a fascinating and complex organ crucial to our daily activities. Multiple layers of closely related anatomical structures moving and performing tasks in perfect coordination. Hand surgery includes a very wide range of different procedures with shared central focus on overall hand function.

Common hand surgery offered include:

Nerve decompression surgery

eg. open carpal tunnel release, ulnar nerve release

Dupuytren’s contracture release

Stenosing tenosynovitis release (ie. trigger finger release)

Ganglion excision

Repair / Reconstruction of soft tissue injuries (eg. nerves, tendon, skin)

ie. wound repair, nerve repair, tendon repair

Most benign lesions are of little concern with no symptoms and do not require any treatment. Some however can increase in size over time and become more noticeable, or situated at certain sites or dept that are a nuisance for patients.

Simple surgical excision is often all that is required for superficial small benign lesions, with attention to scarring and contour restoration. Larger or deeper lesions / lumps may require a more complex surgical approach and repair.

Common benign lesions / lumps treated are:

Benign naevus ( benign moles)

Cysts

Lipoma

Neurofibroma

benign nerve tumours

others

Breast Plastic Surgery

Not all reconstructive breast surgeries are cancer related. Some breast conditions are congenital, developmental or a consequence of previous procedures or treatment. Many of these conditions can have a significant impact on one’s ability to carry out daily activities and one’s self esteem.

Some of the common conditions treated by Dr Mah includes:

Implant rupture (extra- & intra-capsular rupture)

Macromastia

Tuberous breast

Breast Hypoplasia (unilateral or bilateral)

Breast asymmetry

Inverted nipple

Subspecialty Procedures

Min

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare group of cancers that can develop anywhere in the body, frequently present just as a large painless lump. Early diagnosis can be difficult and specialist referral to soft tissue sarcoma service is essential. Depending on the actual diagnosis, treatment may include radiotherapy, wide surgical resection and immediate reconstruction. These necessary oncological treatment combinations often lead to defects that are difficult to heal, with significant contour deformity / tissue loss, or with substantial functional deficit. All these are critical considerations for reconstructive surgeons.

Dr Mah is the clinical lead for sarcoma reconstruction at St Vincent’s Hospital with a long and close working relationship with soft tissue sarcoma resection surgeons. With more than a decade of service and over 700 case series, Dr Mah is one of the most experienced sarcoma reconstructive surgeons in Australia and has developed an unique approach to sarcoma reconstruction focusing on longer term functional outcomes and quality of one’s cancer survivorship. A wide range of reconstructive techniques are utilised and tailored to each defect and individual to maximise wound healing and to achieve the best functional and aesthetic goals for his patients.

The majority of cancer reconstruction in Australia are performed as a consequence of breast cancer treatment. Cancer treatment can be complicated, prolonged and there is never a rigid formula in breast reconstruction. An individual’s treatment requirements, timing, body shape, personal wishes, available support, family circumstances all play a part in the reconstructive decision making.

Every individual with newly diagnosed cancer should be given the opportunity to discuss reconstruction, ideally with one who is familiar with most, if not all the available reconstructive options, and who understand the intricacies of each technique in order to tailor a reconstructive pathway best suited to the patient's unique circumstances.

Breast reconstruction may be considered after mastectomy (removal of the entire breast tissue) or partial mastectomy (eg. lumpectomy). The timing of reconstruction may be immediate (ie. at the same time as tumour resection) or delayed (at any point in the future after the tumour resection).

One of Dr Mah’s main subspecialty interests is in reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. He focused on this field of reconstruction during his yearlong additional training overseas (Toronto, Canada) and has assisted in setting up breast cancer reconstructions services at several hospitals in Victoria.

Scar is the outcome of the wound healing process. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of a prominent and problematic scar, yet the exact mechanism of prominent scar formation is not yet fully understood. Problematic abnormal scarring such as keloid or unstable scars are often more than just cosmetic concerns, and may have direct impact on patients daily such as pain, restricted movements and frequent scar breakdowns etc.

Every scar is unique and every scar evolves at a different rate, so there is no universal or “one-size-fits-all” solution. Treatment approach requires a combination of different modalities such as lasers(various types), topical creams, intra-lesional injections, fat transfer and surgical procedures ranging from simple to complex. Each combination of treatment modalities is tailored to the patient according to timing of presentation, degree of scar maturation, severity of scarring and the patient’s specific concerns and functional requirements.

Please see The Scar Clinic website for further details