About Me
About Dr. Priya Samarasinghe
With over a decade of experience in General Surgery and Trauma-related operations, I am dedicated to delivering exceptional care and advancing surgical practices. Accredited by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) for Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy, I specialise in a wide range of surgical procedures to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Professional Journey
My surgical career began at Westmead Hospital, where I received comprehensive training across diverse specialties including Upper Gastrointestinal, Colorectal, Head and Neck, Surgical Oncology, Breast/Endocrine, Vascular, General Surgery, and Trauma. This foundational training was further solidified through a rigorous two-year fellowship at Westmead Hospital, a renowned level 1 trauma centre, focusing on Trauma/Critical care and General Surgery. During this time, I gained invaluable experience in vascular exposure, damage control principles, and rib fixation, enhancing my ability to manage critically injured patients effectively.
Clinical Expertise
As a General Surgeon at Westmead Private Hospital, Norwest Private Hospital, Nepean Private Hospital, and Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital, I specialise in a comprehensive array of procedures:
- Laparotomy
- Bowel resections
- Appendicectomy
- Gallbladder operations
- Hernia repairs
- Skin lesions, lipomas, sebaceous cysts
- Pilonidal disease
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
- Haemorrhoidectomy
- Benign breast disease management
Accreditations and Professional Affiliations
I am accredited by GESA for Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy and maintain active memberships with General Surgeons Australia, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, ANZAST (Australia and New Zealand Association for the Surgery of Trauma), and the Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS). Additionally, my involvement with the Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy underscores my commitment to staying at the forefront of surgical advancements.
Affiliations
Commitment to Patient Care
I am committed to ensuring excellence in patient care through a holistic approach that spans preoperative, operative, and post-operative phases. By emphasising clear communication and shared decision-making, I empower patients to actively participate in their treatment plans, ensuring the best possible outcomes in both public and private hospital settings.
Leadership and Educational Contributions
As a board member of ANZAST, I am actively involved in advancing trauma systems across Australia and New Zealand. I contribute significantly to surgical education as an instructor in the ABSET course, imparting critical skills in anatomical exposure for trauma management. Furthermore, I serve as an examiner for the RACS clinical exam, supporting the growth and development of medical students, junior doctors, and general surgical trainees.
Publications and Research
I have contributed to several notable publications and research endeavors, including:
- Presentation on the utility of ultrasound scanning in appendicitis at ASC 2014
- Poster presentation on Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome at SRS 2011
- Case report on Streptococcus gallolyticus septicaemia and associated colonic malignancy at ACT Annual Scientific Meeting 2014
- Numerous other presentations and publications demonstrate ongoing commitment to advancing surgical knowledge and practices
Recent Research Highlights
- Postmastectomy radiotherapy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: attitudes and practices of Australian and New Zealand breast surgeons; ANZ Journal of Surgery; 2019
- Successful management of blunt thoracic aortic injury resulting in free rupture into the pleural space and cardiac arrest with endovascular stenting. BMJ Case Rep. 2022; presented at ASC 2022
- Development of a clinical observation algorithm for anterior abdominal stab wounds, published in ANZ Journal
- Contribution to the study on early flexion-extension X-ray for identifying cervical spine ligamentous injuries, presented at RACS Annual Scientific Congress 2023
- Ongoing research on the association between surgical stabilisation delay in rib fractures and increased operative times will be presented at The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma 2024