Dr Santiago Draghi
Dr Santiago Draghi is a dual-qualified Australian–Argentinian surgeon with fellowship-level training in both Argentina and Australia, bringing more than 20 years of experience in his field.
After completing his medical training in Argentina and obtaining an additional medical degree in Spain, Dr Draghi was accepted into a highly competitive surgical training program in Buenos Aires. He further expanded his expertise through advanced subspecialty training in Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, as well as Otology, Neurotology and Lateral Skull Base Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. He also completed a Fellowship in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Monash Health in Melbourne. His international training includes further clinical experience in Barcelona (Spain) and Los Angeles (USA).
Over the past decade, Dr Draghi has worked extensively throughout Australia in both regional and metropolitan settings, including Launceston, Toowoomba, Newcastle, Melbourne and Sydney. This broad experience has given him a strong understanding of the diverse healthcare needs of the Australian community.
Prior to relocating to Australia, Dr Draghi played a leading surgical role in a nationwide Paediatric Cochlear Implant Program in Buenos Aires. He continues his commitment to helping patients with hearing loss as part of a respected specialist group in Sydney.
Dr Draghi is actively involved in academic and professional development, contributing to scientific meetings, publications and books, particularly in Paediatric Otolaryngology, Otology and Cochlear Implants.
Now returning to Launceston, where he previously lived and worked for five years, Dr Draghi is pleased to support the local community in collaboration with the Launceston General Hospital Department of Surgery and the Launceston Health Hub.
Referral Information for GPs
Referrals are prioritised for patients requiring specialist ENT assessment and consideration of surgical management.
Appropriate referrals include a broad range of ENT conditions, such as:
- Sleep disordered breathing, including nasal obstruction
- Chronic rhinosinusitis requiring assessment for possible surgical intervention
- Dysphonia persisting longer than two weeks, particularly in patients with risk factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol use)
- Suspicious neck lumps
- Suspicious oral cavity lesions
At this stage, Dr Draghi is not routinely assessing:
- Tinnitus (unless imaging has demonstrated retrocochlear pathology, such as tumour)
- Post-nasal drip, where medical management has already been optimised
Dr Draghi is also happy to offer Q&A or education sessions for GPs on commonly challenging ENT presentations, with the aim of supporting best-practice management and reducing unnecessary referrals.
Dr Draghi is fluent in both English and Spanish.