Reconstructive microsurgery is a surgical discipline in which specialised operating microscopes and precision instrumentation are used to repair intricate structures such as blood vessels and nerves less than a few millimetres in diameter.

Microsurgery has contributed greatly to restoring form and function to individuals impacted by trauma, cancer and congenital anomalies. It has allowed specialised plastic surgeons to perform procedures including reattachment of severed parts (replantation), transfer of tissue from one part of the body to another (free tissue transfer) and composite tissue transplantation.

Common microsurgery procedures performed by Dr Tolerton include nerve repair and grafting, digit revascularisation or replantation and complex wound reconstruction. Less common procedures include functioning free muscle transfer for muscle paralysis, toe transplantation for thumb reconstruction and vascularised bone transfer.

Dr Tolerton frequently works with colleagues from other surgical specialties to provide microsurgical reconstruction in the setting of lower limb trauma, head and neck cancer and breast reconstruction.

Dr Tolerton extends her passion, knowledge and skills in microsurgery to the next generation of surgeons, as a tutor for The University of Sydney Master of Surgery Microsurgery Program.