About

Resume of my plastic and reconstructive surgical career: Dr Russell Walton

My first exposure to plastic and reconstructive surgery was whilst I was working as medical officer in the Pediatric Medicine Department at Natalspruit Hospital.The Pediatric surgical patients were in our ward too, and I assisted in treatment of the cleft lip and palate, and burn children of the Plastic Surgery Department. This kindled my interest in Plastic Surgery as a specialty, and I moved to the Plastic Surgery Department of the Surgical Unit at Natalspruit shortly thereafter, after completing my Primary Surgical Examinations in Glasgow. Dr Greta Drummond the consultant, encouraged me to pursue a career in Plastic Surgery, and the mold was set for my future. I worked with her for three years, and managed all the patients in the plastic surgery division.

The workload was heavy, but with a wonderful enthusiastic and dedicated teacher in Dr Drummond, the experiences were very memorable, and formed a good grounding in my career of plastic surgery.

I completed my FRSC (Ed), and then began working in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Johannesburg Hospital unit under Professor Dennis Walker. This experience was more formal, and helped consolidate my theoretical learning in the specialty.

Then on to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. The reason for this move was to spend part of my training programme in another specialist unit. I would therefore broaden my experience as the philosophy of the specialty varies from place to place. The consultant staff at the Frenchay Hospital are also leading authorities in the research and management of certain plastic surgical problems (cleft palate reconstruction, pigmented tumors of the skin, head and neck cancers). Besides these advantages, the unit covered all other spheres of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The unit was run at a very high academic level, as well as being one of the foremost centers in Britain for providing an extremely good practical service to the public.

My period in Bristol was the highlight of my training career. The consultant staff and senior registrars offered superb tuition and demonstrated the ultimate in surgical expertise and patient management. I was also exposed to wide practical experience, operating under guidance and also being given a large part of autonomy to expand my surgical skills.

I completed and rounded off my training formally in the Plastic Surgical Unit at the Groote Schuur Hospital – Cape Town. During this period I prepared for my two higher degrees in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and completed my case reports book.

These were M.Med.UCT with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 1979, and F.C.S. (S.A.) with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in May 1980. The F.C.S. (S.A.) with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the standard degree that must be obtained by plastic surgeons in South Africa in order for them to be registered with the South African Medical and Dental Council as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

Postgraduate appointments: After completion of my training at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, I returned to Johannesburg and after working as a full assistant with my colleague Dr Joan Robertson, I obtained a part time consultant post at the Johannesburg Hospital. I kept this post in the teaching faculty of the Department of Plastic Surgery until 1993 when there was a cut-back in part time consultant posts due to financial restraints of the hospital services. I have still however kept in touch with the unit and played an active role in teaching. I have been in private practice now for 35 years.

Society membership: I have been an active member of numerous plastic surgery societies since my qualifications. I am a full member of The Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of South Africa. Since 1981, I have been a member of The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and was National Secretary for the society for Southern Africa since May 1992, for the next 18 years.

Postgraduate teaching of young plastic surgeons:In 1988 I was invited by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons to become a teacher on their faculty for their instructional courses. Since then I have lectured on courses in 10 countries, including London on the ISAPS Course that was arranged in October 1993. In October 1994 I organized an ISAPS Instructional Course at Sun City in South Africa and acted as local arrangement chairman for this meeting. I have included my C.V. a list of presentations as faculty member of ISAPS.

In September 1999, I was local host and arrangement chairman of the ISAPS Safari Postgraduate Course in Aesthetic Surgery at the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

In 2006 I hosted an instructional course at Spier Cape Winelands. I enjoy teaching, and continue to do so. I was very honored to be awarded Professorship by The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, for my contribution to the teaching of Aesthetic surgery to my colleagues and younger plastic surgeons.