Assoc Prof Bruce Johnstone

Overview

Bruce completed Plastic Surgery training in Melbourne in 1989. A further two years of subspecialist fellowships were completed in Atlanta, Georgia and Salt Lake City, Utah, focusing on microsurgery, paediatric plastic surgery, breast reconstruction, aesthetic surgery, and in particular during his year at the University of Utah, hand and upper limb surgery with training in both the Departments of Plastic and Orthopaedic surgery.

In 1991, Bruce developed the subspecialty of hand surgery at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children's Hospitals as well as being an active reconstructive microsurgeon. His areas of interest included upper limb reconstruction in adults, particularly following trauma and advanced arthritis, peripheral nerve surgery, head and neck, lower limb, chest wall and breast reconstruction. At the Royal Children’s Hospital he further developed techniques for salivary control management as well as establishing the Melbourne Paediatric Hand Centre in 1994. He has particularly developed upper limb surgery in cerebral palsy and headed the Obstetric Brachial Plexus Clinic from 2000 until 2019

Plastic, reconstructive, hand and aesthetic procedures are offered at St Vincent’s Private East Melbourne (Victorian Plastic Surgery Unit), Ringwood Private and St John of God Berwick hospitals. Breast reduction, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery is a major part of his practice frequently collaborating with his wife Dr Katrina Read, oncological breast surgeon. Minor surgery is also performed conveniently at the Heidelberg, Ringwood and City consulting rooms.