Facial reconstruction

Facial reconstruction may be needed in the following cases:

Facial reconstruction surgery may be required after injury, following extensive surgery for facial or head and neck cancer, or to treat a facial disfigurement due to a congenital condition.

The aim of facial reconstruction surgery is to rebuild a patient’s features, following a fracture, disease, surgical scarring, hereditary disfigurement or other facial trauma, so that their face appears as normal as possible and functions as well as it can. Reconstruction may be needed so that key activities such as blinking, talking, smiling and eating can be resumed.

What is ‘free flap’ surgery?

One of the UK’s top head and neck specialists, Luke is renowned for his innovative approach to facial reconstructive surgery and uses only the latest and most effective techniques to deliver the best possible treatment to his patients. He pioneered free flap jaw reconstruction for cancer patients. Free flap surgery is a micro-surgical technique that facilitates the repair of major trauma sites in the face and jaw. A piece of tissue (or flap) is detached from its original blood supply and moved from one part of the body to correct a defect in another area when reconnected to a new blood supply. The blood vessels feeding the flap are normally extremely small and the flap is reattached using microvascular surgery.

In his role as a core member and Chair of the London Bridge Hospital Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Team, Luke has performed hundreds of free flap reconstruction procedures, resulting in an outstanding 98% success rate.

What are the benefits of facial reconstruction?

There are multiple benefits to facial reconstruction, although improved form and function are the primary ones. Whether it’s removing scarring or more extensive surgery, the knock-on effects on health, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing should not be underestimated either.

With vast experience and expertise in every aspect of head and neck surgery, Luke is highly skilled at reducing the visual impact of potential scarring by using the skin’s natural properties and form to conceal any surgical cuts and offers unrivalled expertise in reconstructing the face, scalp and neck following Mohs surgery, a  technique used to treat skin cancer.

He is passionate about giving every patient the best possible treatment, restoring their facial health and in the process helping to rebuild their confidence.

Dedication to innovation

In addition to his ground-breaking work on free flap surgery, Luke and his team have pioneered the use of the new technology, Vivostat PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin), which works by combining the clotting and healing properties of a patient’s blood with antibiotics to minimise wound infections and bleeding issues.

One of Luke’s major achievements is the development and education of other surgeons in the use of his innovative techniques to prevent the facial and neck scarring that often follows reconstructive work. He has also led in the application of 3D printing and imaging, succeeding in using these techniques to boost accuracy of surgery and delivering successful outcomes for his patients.