Plastic and reconstructive surgery

Our plastic and reconstructive surgery department treats a wide range of conditions that require reconstruction surgery following emergencies or cancer.

The service is provided via our clinics at Charing Cross and St Mary's hospitals. The team is made up of experts in the area of plastic surgery who are also leading academics at Imperial College London. They have national and international reputations and have been recognised as providing one of the best services in the UK for complex reconstruction.

Conditions and treatments

Our plastic and reconstructive surgery services include trauma reconstruction at St Mary's Hospital, and elective reconstructive surgery at Charing Cross Hospital. 

We have one of the highest performance rates in the country, with our success rate for complex reconstruction surgery to transfer tissue from one part of the body to another (free flap) achieving over 99 per cent.

One area of particular expertise is supporting our cancer services by providing reconstruction surgery, particularly as part of a multidisciplinary team approach for breast, head and neck, and skin cancers. We run one of the busiest complex reconstructive services in the UK with over 250 reconstructions per year.

This includes over 200 breast reconstructions using free flaps, mainly with the DIEP flap technique (DIEP stands for the deep inferior epigastric perforator artery, which runs through the abdomen. Blood vessels, fat, and skin from the lower belly are relocated to the chest to rebuild breasts after mastectomy). We also specialise in the reconstruction of hands, arms and legs following injuries, and are one of the country’s busiest trauma reconstruction units, annually providing reconstructive surgery for over 120 open limb fractures.

In addition, we provide a service for all hand and upper limb conditions affecting children and adults, including wrist and nerve problems. We also run specialist clinics to treat scars, a laser clinic and a clinic for minor skin lesions.

For private patients, the Trust also provides a reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery service through Imperial Private Healthcare.

Patient information leaflet

• Having an autologous breast reconstruction

Additional information

Further online resources

• British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons