David K. Chong is a paediatric plastic surgeon based in Melbourne, working out of the Flemington Rd area (VIC, Australia). He looks after children and families, with a focus on helping kids who are born with differences in the face, head, and mouth.
His day-to-day work often includes cleft lip and cleft palate care. He also helps with issues like craniosynostosis and conditions where the shape of the head needs attention, such as plagiocephaly and metopic ridge concerns. At times, he may also be involved when a child needs surgery to help guide growth and improve how the head and facial areas develop.
Children’s mouth and airway problems can be complex, so he works on conditions like midline cleft of the lower lip, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and palatopharyngeal incompetence. These can affect things like speech, swallowing, and how well a child can move air during normal breathing. Another part of his practice includes working with choanal atresia and related breathing concerns in babies.
David also deals with cases where bone shape and alignment matter, which may involve procedures such as craniectomy and osteotomy. In some situations, surgery may include other steps like septoplasty to support better airflow and comfort as the child grows.
He is also familiar with genetic and syndromic conditions that can come with facial differences, including Van der Woude syndrome. In these cases, care is often planned around the child’s overall needs, and it can take time to get the best result.
Over time, David has cared for children with these kinds of conditions across many stages of growth. That includes the weeks after surgery, when families need clear follow-up and practical guidance. The aim is usually the same: help the child heal well, reduce strain on day-to-day life, and support long-term development.
David’s training and clinical work are centred on paediatric plastic surgery, with a hands-on approach to planning and performing care for young patients. He works alongside other healthcare professionals involved in a child’s treatment, especially when speech, feeding, and breathing are all part of the picture.
If you are looking for a paediatric plastic surgeon in Melbourne for a child’s facial or head difference, you can contact the clinic for advice on next steps and what appointments may be needed.