A/Prof · MBBS · FRACS · Senior Lecturer USYD, UNSW & Charles Sturt
Specialist breast oncoplastic, endocrine and general surgeon — servicing Sydney and the Riverina with over 25 years of subspecialist experience.
A/Prof David Littlejohn is an oncoplastic breast surgeon with over 25 years of subspecialist practice spanning Sydney and regional New South Wales. Trained at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, he went on to refine his oncoplastic skills in the United Kingdom under Dr R. Rainsbury — an early figure in oncoplastic surgery — before returning to Australia in 2000 to establish his practice.
Consulting across Sydney and at the Wagga Wagga Specialist Medical Centre, A/Prof Littlejohn takes a patient-centred approach to care. His practice offers neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy — treating the cancer first to reduce tumour size before surgery — where clinically appropriate.
A leader in education and research, A/Prof Littlejohn is a founding member of Breast Surgeons NSW and BreastSurgANZ, and served as Vice President of BreastSurgANZ (formerly the Breast Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand). He has convened oncoplastic cadaveric surgical courses across Australia and New Zealand, including the inaugural Level 2 Cadaver workshop in Brisbane in 2014. He speaks at national and international conferences, and a lecturer for the Sydney University Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Surgery.
Beyond breast surgery, A/Prof Littlejohn holds specialist expertise in endocrine and laparoscopic surgery. As a member of the International Society of Endocrine Surgeons, he has published on minimally invasive parathyroid surgery and the application of 4DCT imaging, and carries extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of breast implant-related complications.
His clinic works to engage Aboriginal patients in the communities he serves, with a focus on equitable, accessible care.
Advanced oncoplastic breast cancer surgery including flap-based reconstructions. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are offered where appropriate to shrink tumours before surgery, with careful attention to cosmetic outcomes.
Specialist surgical care for conditions of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. A/Prof Littlejohn is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Endocrine Surgeons and has particular expertise in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, thyroid nodule management, and 4DCT-guided procedures.
Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and precision instruments — which is often associated with less pain, a quicker recovery and smaller scars than traditional open surgery, although results vary from patient to patient. A/Prof Littlejohn applies laparoscopic approaches across a broad range of abdominal and endocrine procedures.
A comprehensive range of general surgical services including colonoscopy and gastroscopy for diagnosis and treatment of bowel and digestive conditions, surgical management of skin cancers and suspicious lesions — including melanoma — and hernia repair using both open and laparoscopic techniques.
A coordinated pathway from diagnosis to treatment and reconstruction.
Every patient deserves a thorough, unhurried consultation. A/Prof Littlejohn takes the time to understand each patient's individual circumstances, concerns, and goals before recommending a course of treatment.
A/Prof Littlejohn regularly presents at international conferences and contributes to clinical research, keeping his practice informed by current evidence in oncoplastic and endocrine surgery.
From first consultation through to surgery, reconstruction, and follow-up, A/Prof Littlejohn works with a dedicated multidisciplinary team to support a coordinated pathway of care.
A/Prof David Littlejohn — MBBS, FRACS (Oncoplastic Surgeon)
A/Prof Littlejohn's profile at the Sydney Breast Clinic, where he brings over 25 years of subspecialist experience in oncoplastic breast surgery, breast cancer reconstruction, and implant-related complications.
View profile Hospital Profile Chris O'Brien LifehouseA/Prof David Littlejohn — Surgeon Profile
A/Prof Littlejohn's profile at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, a Sydney cancer treatment and research centre.
View profile Society Profile Australian & NZ Endocrine SurgeonsA/Prof David Littlejohn — Endocrine Surgeon
A/Prof Littlejohn's listing with the Australian and New Zealand Endocrine Surgeons (ANZES), recognising his specialist expertise in endocrine surgery.
View profile Hospital Profile East Sydney Private HospitalA/Prof David Littlejohn — Oncoplastic Breast, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Profile at East Sydney Private Hospital, highlighting over 25 years of subspecialist expertise in breast, oncoplastic, endocrine and general surgery.
View profileGalimberti V, Cole BF, Zurrida S, Viale G, Luini A, Veronesi P, et al. (including Littlejohn D). Axillary dissection versus no axillary dissection in patients with sentinel-node micrometastases (IBCSG 23-01): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial.
Lancet Oncology · 2013 Apr;14(4):297–305.
Low K, Littlejohn DRG. The optimal number of sentinel nodes after intradermal injection of isotope and blue dye.
ANZ Journal of Surgery · 2006;76(6):472–475.
Spillane AJ, Littlejohn D, Wong S, Robertson AO, Crowe P. Australia's Breast Surgery Workload is Changing: Comparison of a Metropolitan and a Rural Hospital.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery · 1999;69(3):178–182.
Littlejohn DRG, Newstead GL. Tailored lateral sphincterotomy for anal fissure.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum · 1997 Dec;40(12):1439–1442.
Rutherford A (Chair), Boyages J, Brennan M, Griffiths T, Hartney P, Lee W, Littlejohn D, Luke V, Snyder R. Follow-up of patients with early breast cancer: a systematic review.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre · Surry Hills, NSW, 2009.
Littlejohn D. Breast cancer management pathways.
SME UNSW — Riverina · November 2018.
Littlejohn D et al. A rural perspective on minimally invasive parathyroidectomy: optimal preoperative imaging and patient outcomes.
ANZ Journal of Surgery.
Galimberti V, Cole BF, Viale G, Veronesi P, Vicini E, Intra M, Mazzarol G, Massarut S, Zgajnar J, Taffurelli M, Littlejohn D, Knauer M, Tondini C, Di Leo A, Colleoni M, Regan MM, Coates AS, Gelber RD, Goldhirsch A, et al. Axillary dissection versus no axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer and sentinel-node micrometastases (IBCSG 23-01): 10-year follow-up of a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial.
The Lancet Oncology · 2018;19(10):1385–1393.
New patients are welcome. A referral letter from your GP is required for specialist consultations. Please bring any relevant test results, imaging, or previous specialist letters to your appointment.