My Surgery

A/Prof Graham operates privately at John Flynn Private Hospital, Tugun, Pindara Private Hospital, Benowa and Gold Coast Private Hospital, Southport on the Gold Coast.

Dr Williams operates privately at John Flynn Private Hospital, Tugun, Pindara Private Hospital, Benowa, Gold Coast Private Hospital, Southport and Pacific Private Hospital, Southport on the Gold Coast.

Dr Kent operates privately at John Flynn Private Hospital Tugun, Gold Coast Private Hospital, Southport, Pindara Private Hospital Benowa and Pacific Private Hospital, Southport on the Gold Coast.

Please be aware that although our surgeons also work in the public system, we are unable to facilitate public system bookings through Mudgeeraba Hand Clinic. Should you wish to be treated via the public system, you will need to be referred to the Gold Coast University Hospital / Queensland Children's Hospital Orthopaedic/Plastic Surgery outpatient department directly from your referring doctor.

Prior to undergoing surgery, it is advisable to cease smoking as this inhibits wound healing, increases the risk of fractures not healing (non-union), and makes you more vulnerable to post-operative infections.

Some medications need to be ceased prior to surgery (specifically some blood thinning and some immunosuppressive medications). Please check with your surgeon during your consultation.

Please check with your surgeon or the Mudgeeraba Hand Clinic staff at the time of consultation if you need to cease any of your medications prior to doing so.

If you are diabetic, you will need to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels when you are fasting. More information will be given to you from the Mudgeeraba Hand Clinic.

Driving in a cast or splint may place you in a precarious situation regarding your insurance cover. If possible you may wish to consider arranging alternative transportation for the period you will be unable to drive yourself. You will also need an escort from the hospital post-operatively.

According to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS): Surgical assistants support the primary surgeon as a skilled second pair of hands, providing continuous assistance under the direct supervision of the surgeon to maximise safety and efficiency during surgery.

A surgical assistant is a trained doctor or healthcare professional who works alongside the primary surgeon during an operation. Their role is to support the surgeon and the operating team to ensure the procedure is performed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard of care.

Surgery often requires more than two hands. The surgical assistant helps the surgeon by providing additional expertise and practical assistance throughout the operation.

Their responsibilities may include (but not limited to):

• Helping prepare the operating theatre and surgical equipment and lighting
• Assisting with patient positioning and safe transfer onto and off the operating table
• Participating in safety checks (“time-outs”) before surgery begins
• Holding instruments or retractors to allow the surgeon clear visibility of the surgical area
• Assisting with tasks that require more than one set of hands during the procedure
• Helping control bleeding and maintain a clear operative field
• Wound closure, suturing, and applying dressings or splints

A skilled surgical assistant anticipates the surgeon’s needs and helps maintain a smooth and safe workflow in the operating room and link with the scrub nurse. This teamwork allows the surgeon to focus fully on the most critical parts of the procedure. 

All assistance is performed under the direction and supervision of the primary surgeon, who remains responsible for the overall conduct of the operation and the patient’s care.  

Working together as a coordinated surgical team helps ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Generic post operative instructions include :

• Keep the hand clean and dry
• Keep the hand elevated – to the level of your heart or above
• Keep uninvolved joints moving – including elbow and shoulder
• Take all prescribed medication as directed
• Attend hand therapy sessions as directed
• Take analgesia as required to allow prescribed exercise
• If you are concerned, please call the Mudgeeraba Hand Clinic on (07) 5598 0194, or if after hours please attend the John Flynn Private Hospital, Gold Coast Private or Pindara Private Hospital Emergency Departments (open 24 hours)

Specific post-operative instructions will be given to you following your operation.

Any surgical procedure carries some associated risk. This must always be weighed up against the likely benefits from the procedure, and an informed decision made by the patient. General risks of any procedure include anaesthetic risks (which will be discussed in more detail by the Anaesthetist), infection, failure of resolution of the symptoms and damage to the surrounding structures (including nerve, artery, tendon, joint, bone). Specifically in the hand, regional pain syndromes and stiffness may result from either trauma or surgery, or a combination of both.