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
The Price is Right? An Economic Analysis of Factors Influencing Cosmetic Surgery Prices.
Shaffrey EC, Wirth PJ, Moura SP, Attaluri PK, Rao VK
Aesthet Surg J 2023 Mar 22;
[PubMed ID: 36947151]Out-of-scope Cosmetic Surgery: A Review of Malpractice Lawsuits against Nonplastic Surgeons.
Moura SP, Shaffrey EC, Lam CS, Wirth PJ, Attaluri PK, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2023 Mar; 11(3): e4873
[PubMed ID: 36910731]The Anatomy of a Malpractice Lawsuit.
Attaluri PK, Wirth PJ, Moura SP, Shaffrey EC, Rao VK
Aesthet Surg J Open Forum 2023; 5: ojad008
[PubMed ID: 36844458]"Surprise Billing Legislation: Context and Significance for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.".
Seitz J, Nicksic PJ, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg 2022 Dec 13;
[PubMed ID: 36729735]The No Surprises Act: What Do Plastic Surgeons Need to Know?
Seitz AJ, Nicksic PJ, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2022 Jul; 10(7): e4406
[PubMed ID: 35813108]