Dr. Smitha Segu

Dr. Smitha Segu is a highly skilled plastic surgeon with extensive experience in burn management, reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and pediatric plastic surgery. Her expertise lies in managing complex burn injuries, conducting reconstructive procedures for post-traumatic and post-infective defects, and performing pediatric surgeries with a focus on congenital anomalies and aesthetic/cosmetic surgeries.

She has been instrumental in leading various rescue operations during natural disasters, such as the Nepal earthquake and the Coorg and Kerala floods, where she conducted medical camps and provided critical care to affected communities. Dr. Segu’s contributions extend to the academic and research fields, with numerous publications in national and international journals. She has also been invited to speak at various state and national forums on topics related to burns, nutrition, and aesthetic approaches in surgery.

Work Experience

• Over 20 years of experience.

Education

• M.Ch. (Plastic Surgery) – Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
• M.S. (General Surgery) – Government Medical College
• M.B.B.S. – Ambedkar Medical College

Academic Contributions

• Published numerous papers in indexed national and international journals.
• Invited speaker for talks on burns, nutrition, and aesthetic approaches at various state and national forums.
• Organized various CMEs, operative workshops, and conferences at local, zonal, state, and south zone levels.
• Organized multiple programs and protocols for Plastic Surgery super specialty postgraduate training.
• Author of “ICE BERG,” a departmental quarterly newsletter.
• Editor of BMCRI BYTES, the official newsletter of BMCRI.
• Academic Head of Simulation Lab.
• Nodal officer of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit.
• In charge of the state-run skin bank.
• Chairperson of the Ethics Committee at Oxford Medical College.

International Presentations

• Randomized Double-Blind Study to Determine the Efficacy of Intravenous Glutamine Administration in Severely Burned Patients in Reducing Gram-Negative Septicemia - ISBI 2010, Istanbul, Turkey.
• 16th International Conference of the International Society of Burns Injuries (ISBI), Edinburgh, Scotland, 2013.
• Electrical Injuries in 170 Patients – An Institutional Experience.
• The Persistent Paradigm of Pediatric Burns in India – An Epidemiological Review.
• Modulation of the Acute Phase Post-Burn Hypermetabolic Response with Propranolol.
• Pediatric Suicidal Burns – A Growing Concern, ISBI 2014, Sydney, Australia.
• Composite Defect Following Electrical Burns, ISBI 2014, Sydney, Australia.
• Double-Blind Randomized Multicentric Study of Efficacy of Xylentra vs SSD in the Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns, ISBI 2014, Sydney, Australia.
• Pattern of Burns in Suicidal, Homicidal, and Accidental Burns, ISBI 2016, Miami, US.

Journal Publications

1. Domestic Mass Burn Casualties – An Epidemiological Review, International Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences, 2013.
2. Nicolau Syndrome Following Sclerotherapy for Pyogenic Granuloma, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, 2014.
3. Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Lomoxicam Injection vs. Tramadol Injection in Reducing Pain During Dressing of Burn Wounds, Indian Journal of Medical and Physical Sciences, 2013.
4. Modulation of the Acute Phase Post-Burn Hypermetabolic Response with Propranolol, Indian Journal of Burns, 2011.
5. Single-Blinded Prospective Comparative Study of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor (RHEGF) + Silver Sulfadiazine vs. Silver Sulfadiazine Alone in Treating Second-Degree Thermal Burns, Indian Journal of Burns, 2011.
6. Cross Finger Adipofascial Flap – Is It an Aesthetically Better Variant?, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2013.
7. Distally Based Peroneus Brevis Muscle Flap for Distal Leg Defects, Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2013.
8. A Review of 5 Years’ Experience in the Management of Electrical Injuries, Indian Journal of Burns, 2014.
9. The Persistent Paradigm of Pediatric Burns in India – An Epidemiological Review, Indian Journal of Burns, 2014.
10. Osteoplastic Reconstruction for Post-Traumatic Thumb Amputations Around the Metacarpophalangeal Joint, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2015.
11. Pediatric Suicidal Burns – A Growing Concern, Burns, 2016, Elsevier.
12. Our Burns Ward – Indian Journal of Burns, 2015.

Authored Chapters in Textbooks

• Role of Skin Grafting in Managing Leg Ulcers, Leg Ulcers: Diagnosis and Management, 1st Edition, 2019.
• Pathophysiology in Burns, Textbook of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Volume 5, 2020.
• Vaidhyavignana – Andhu, Indhu, Mundhu, RGUHS, Bangalore, 2021.

Participation in Academic Councils

• Secretary of KAPRAS (2015 to 2023)
• President of KAPRAS (2023 to 2025)
• Secretary of Karnataka State Super Specialty Association
• Treasurer of the Association of Burns: Karnataka State Chapter
• Joint Secretary, Teachers Association of BMCRI
• Member of ISBI (International Society of Burn Injuries)
• Executive Committee Member of NABI (National Association of Burn Injuries) (2020 to 2024)
• Syndicate Member of RGUHS (2023-2024)

Disaster Relief Work

• Led a team of 6 during the 2004 Tsunami across Tamil Nadu, conducting medical camps and distributing relief material.
• Led a rescue operation during the Nepal earthquake in May 2015, operating cases in districts like Dading, Kathmandu, and helping restore electricity to a village.
• Led relief operations during the Coorg and Kerala floods in 2018/19, conducting medical camps and rebuilding schools in affected areas.

Social Contributions

• Board of Trustee at B R Chandrashekar Institute of Speech and Hearing and Lions Eye Hospital, Rotary Club.
• Subcommittee Member of Karnataka Arya Vysha Charitable Trust.
• Founder of AVASZ - The Call of the Conscious NGO.