A/Prof David
Littlejohn
A/Prof · MBBS · FRACS · Senior Lecturer USYD, UNSW & Charles Sturt
Specialist breast oncoplastic, endocrine and general surgeon — servicing Sydney and the Riverina with 26 years of subspecialist experience.
A/Prof · MBBS · FRACS · Senior Lecturer USYD, UNSW & Charles Sturt
Specialist breast oncoplastic, endocrine and general surgeon — servicing Sydney and the Riverina with 26 years of subspecialist experience.
Dr David Littlejohn is a specialist breast oncoplastic, endocrine and general surgeon based at the Wagga Wagga Specialist Medical Centre, and is renowned for his advanced oncoplastic techniques. He brings 26 years of subspecialist experience to every consultation.
Dr Littlejohn qualified in Sydney, completing his FRACS at Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick. He trained in oncoplastic techniques in the UK — under Mr Rainsbury, a pioneer of the field — and returned to Australia in 2000 to establish a subspecialist practice in Wagga Wagga. He is considered a pioneering leader in oncoplastic breast surgery across Australia and New Zealand.
His centre is one of the few in the region to offer chemotherapy and radiotherapy first to shrink cancers, delivering better cosmetic outcomes for patients. He is also a co-investigator at the Riverina Cancer Care Centre for clinical trials, and his clinic has been recognised for engaging Aboriginal patients in earlier-stage breast cancer presentation.
As a founding member of Breast Surgeons NSW and BreastSurgANZ, and past Vice President of the Breast Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand, Dr Littlejohn is deeply invested in education and training. He pioneered oncoplastic surgery cadaveric courses in Australia and NZ, convening the first Level 2 Cadaver oncoplastic workshop in Brisbane in 2014. He is a regular invited speaker at international and national conferences, and a lecturer for the Sydney University Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Surgery course.
Dr Littlejohn is also a specialist endocrine and laparoscopic surgeon. He is a member of the International Society of Endocrine Surgeons and has published on minimally invasive parathyroid surgery and the use of 4DCT in Wagga. He has extensive experience in breast implant-related complications, diagnosis, and treatment.
"It's an exciting field to be in. There's a lot of innovation and innovative people — and the survival rate keeps improving."
Advanced oncoplastic breast cancer surgery including flap-based reconstructions. One of the few centres offering neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink tumours first, delivering superior cosmetic outcomes for patients.
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 — offering patients significantly less pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring compared to traditional open techniques. 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 seamless progression from diagnosis to treatment and reconstruction.
Every consultation begins with truly hearing the patient — their symptoms, their concerns, and their goals. A correct diagnosis follows from careful listening.
Treatment recommendations are grounded in the best available clinical evidence, combined with sound clinical judgement and individual patient context.
A/Prof Littlejohn works with a dedicated multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless progression from diagnosis through to treatment and reconstruction — with continuity and quality at every stage.
"A/Prof Littlejohn is an exceptional surgeon. His knowledge, skill and care made what was a very difficult time so much easier. I cannot recommend him highly enough."
"Incredibly professional and compassionate. He took the time to explain everything clearly and I felt completely confident in his care throughout my treatment."
"The whole experience was seamless from consultation to surgery. A/Prof Littlejohn's expertise and warm manner put me at ease immediately."
A/Prof David Littlejohn — MBBS, FRACS (Oncoplastic Surgeon)
A/Prof Littlejohn's profile at the Sydney Breast Clinic, where he brings 26 years of subspecialist experience in oncoplastic breast surgery, breast cancer reconstruction, and implant-related complications.
View profile News · Press The Daily TelegraphNSW's leading breast cancer surgeons reveal their passion for the job and latest innovations
Dr Littlejohn features among NSW's leading breast cancer surgeons, discussing his commitment to the field and the innovations driving improved patient outcomes.
Read article Hospital Profile Chris O'Brien LifehouseDr David Littlejohn — Surgeon Profile
Dr Littlejohn's profile at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney's leading cancer treatment and research centre, where he is listed as a specialist breast and oncoplastic surgeon.
View profile Society Profile Australian & NZ Endocrine SurgeonsDr David Littlejohn — Endocrine Surgeon
Dr 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 24 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. Epub 2013 Mar 11. Molecular Senology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, Milan.
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 · in press.
Regan M (corresponding), Galimberti V, Cole BF, Viale G, Veronesi P, Vicini E, Taffurelli M, Littlejohn D, Knauer M, Tondini C, Di Leo A, Colleoni M, Coates A, Gelber R, Goldhirsch A. Axillary dissection vs. no axillary dissection in patients with cT1–T2 cN0 M0 breast cancer and only micrometastases in sentinel nodes: ten-year results of the IBCSG 23-01 Trial.
The Lancet Oncology · in press.
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.