Venkat K Rao, MD, MBA
Professor
- Division of Plastic Surgery
rao@surgery.wisc.edu
(608) 263-1223
600 Highland Avenue
Box 3236, Clinical Science Center
Madison, WI 53792
Education
- MD, University of Madras, India
- Master of Surgery, University of Madras, India
- Internship and Residency in General Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
- Residency in Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Research Fellow, Microsurgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Fellow, Hand Surgery, University of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
- MBA, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Honors
Best Doctors in America Award Surgery, Hand/Microsurgery & Plastic & Reconstructive
Madison Magazine Top Docs 2012 Award Surgery, Hand/Microsurgery, Plastic & Reconstructive
Clinical Specialties
Dr. Rao is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He specializes 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, Extended Efforts in Limb Salvage, Hand Arthroplasty, Lower Eyelid Tuck, Microvascular Reconstruction, Nerve Repair, Rhinoplasty, Tendon Repairs, Upper Eyelid Tuck.
Research Interests
Dr. Rao’s current research interests include breast reconstruction and outcomes in cosmetic surgery.
Recent Publications
Ashramas of Hinduism: A Guide to the Journey of Life and Career of a Plastic Surgeon.
Gupta S, Attaluri PK, Gosain AK, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg 2025 May 07;
[PubMed ID: 40331582]The Anatomy of Patents and Intellectual Property.
Bay CC, George RE, Fine KS, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2025 May; 13(5): e6731
[PubMed ID: 40330166]The Anatomy of an Employment Contract.
Fine KS, Attaluri P, Wirth PJ, Shaffrey EC, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2025 Mar; 13(3): e6635
[PubMed ID: 40104382]Mobile Devices Restricted-Updating the Surgical Timeout.
McCarthy JE, Rao VK
JAMA Surg 2025 May 01; 160(5): 479-480
[PubMed ID: 39969898]Thirty-Eight-Year Follow-Up After Multiple Toe-to-Hand Transfers.
Carbullido MK, Zona EE, Thornton SM, Attaluri P, Wirth PJ, Shaffrey EC, Rao VK
J Hand Surg Glob Online 2025 Mar; 7(2): 242-245
[PubMed ID: 40182883]