Education

• MD, University of Madras, India, 1970
• Master of Surgery, University of Madras, India, 1975
• Internship and Residency in General Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, 1973-1978
• Residency in Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 1978-1980
• Research Fellow, Microsurgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, 1980-1981
• Fellow, Hand Surgery, University of Kentucky, Louisville, KY, 1981-1982
• MBA, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 1989

Clinical Specialties

Dr. Rao is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He specializees in breast surgery, cosmetic surgery, hand and microsurgery. Dr. Rao provides a wide range of services at UW Hospital, Transformations and Meriter Hospital which include breast reconstruction, breast reduction, breast augmentation, body contouring, liposuction, hand injuries and Carpal Tunnel surgery.

Dr. Rao provides a wide range of services including Arthritic Reconstructions, Brachial Plexus Surgery , Breast Reconstruction, Brow Lift, Carpal Tunnel Release , Digital Replantation , Hand Arthroplasty, Lower Eyelid Tuck, Microvascular Reconstruction , Nerve Repair, Rhinoplasty, Tendon Repairs, and Upper Eyelid Tuck.

Research Interests

Dr. Rao’s current research interests include breast reconstruction and outcomes in cosmetic surgery.

Recent Publications

• Establishing a multidisciplinary academic cosmetic center.
  Rao VK, Schmid DB, Hanson SE, Bentz ML
  Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2011 Dec; 128(6):741e-6e.
  [PubMed ID: 22094775]
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• The effect of electroacustimulation on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain in outpatient plastic surgery patients: a prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial.
  Larson JD, Gutowski KA, Marcus BC, Rao VK, Avery PG, Stacey DH, Yang RZ
  Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2010 Mar; 125(3):989-94.
  [PubMed ID: 20195124]
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• Exploring the effect of the referring general surgeon's attitudes on breast reconstruction utilization.
  Stacey DH, Spring MA, Breslin TM, Rao VK, Gutowski KA
  WMJ 2008 Sep; 107(6):292-7.
  [PubMed ID: 18935899]
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• Management of gestational gigantomastia.
  Swelstad MR, Swelstad BB, Rao VK, Gutowski KA
  Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2006 Sep 15; 118(4):840-8.
  [PubMed ID: 16980844]
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• Glomus tumor of the index finger.
  Kale SS, Rao VK, Bentz ML
  J Craniofac Surg 2006 Jul; 17(4):801-4.
  [PubMed ID: 16877938]
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