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, 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
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
Re: "Maxillofacial Trauma Management During COVID-19: Multidisciplinary Recommendations," by Edwards et al. and "A Guide to Facial Trauma Triage and Precautions in the COVID-19 Pandemic" by Hsieh et al.
Elmaraghi S, Rao VK, Mount DL
Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med 2020 Jul/Aug; 22(4): 313-314
[PubMed ID: 32525711]Medicaid for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
Firouzbakht PK, Shaum KM, Israel JS, Rao VK
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2020 03; 145(3): 637e-646e
[PubMed ID: 32097335]Medicaid for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
Firouzbakht PK, Shaum KM, Israel JS, Rao VK
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2019 Dec 17;
[PubMed ID: 31860514]Concomitant Opioid and Diazepam Use in Plastic Surgery.
Shaum KM, Christie BM, Israel JS, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2019 Jun; 7(6): e2050
[PubMed ID: 31624655]Opioid Prescribing and Consumption Patterns following Outpatient Plastic Surgery Procedures.
Rose KR, Christie BM, Block LM, Rao VK, Michelotti BF
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2019 03; 143(3): 929-938
[PubMed ID: 30817667]