Dear Mimi,
Before I begin, let me repeat something from Nenna's question to you:
"best" is a very subjective term. The surgeons listed bellow received
good feedback, or are reputable in the field. However, it shouldn't
mean that other surgeons are necessarily "worse" or that those other
surgeons could not do a fine job as well.
In addition, even within the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery,
there are specialisations. That doesn't imply that a leading expert in
the field would not be able to correct the problem, only that knowing
the exact nature of the problem (with a specific diagnosis, and with
the reasons for deformity - is it a result of cancer/tumours? Is it
like that since birth - and if so, how old is she? Is it a result of
another disease?).
Let's start with the fact, that there is a clinic in London - first
and only in the world - specialising in clinical research into
maxillofacial surgery. It is being led by Iain Hutchison, a consultant
in oral and maxillofacial surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital in
London.
<http://www.bartsandthelondon.org.uk/forgps/handbook/viewinfo.asp?hbid=37>
. The British Medical Journal mentions him as one of the leading
consultants in the field.
You could see the research foundation "Saving Face" at:
http://www.savingfaces.co.uk/
While there is no doubt that Mr. Hutchison deserves his status at the
top of this list, he specialises in cancer. David Koppel from Glasgow
University Hospitals specialises in deformities. He is also described
as a leading persona in the field (see for example, the BBC article,
"DIY surgery fixes man's face"
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1488704.stm>).
<http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sguht/services/departments/maxfax/mfstaff.htm#Koppel>
Roger Rees at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is also
considered to be a leading surgeon.
<http://www.norfolk-norwich-hospitals.net/communications/Consultants_Quick_Contact.htm>
In Germany, Rainer Schmelzeisen is known to be an authority in the
field, having recently published textbooks on the subject.
<http://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/einstieg/index.xml> (English);
<http://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/k/zmk/amkg/de/auw/index.xml>
(German). He is specialising in computer/robot assisted operations.
The "Focus List", that ranks physicians, also mentions a Stuttgart
doctor, Konrad Wangerin, an expert from the Marienhospital. Wangerin
is listed alongside top plastic surgeons from this clinic, which might
assist the consultation process.
<http://www.vinzenz.de/marienhospital/plastische/Wangerin/wangerin.htm>
Juergen Bier from Berlin is also mentioned as a top surgeon for these
problems, as well as his clinic.
MKG Berlin
<http://www.mkg-berlin.de/eng/index.html>
*
Despite the fact that you requested surgeons from Germany and the UK,
I found it helpful to add another surgeon, from Sweden: Karl-Erik
Kahnberg, from the University of Gothenburg (and its hospital). He is
considered one of the top experts in Europe, and surgeons from the UK
travel to Sweden to study his techniques.
<http://www.cleft2001.gu.se/kk.html>
**
Again, I would like to say that this list - despite being based on
Research - is full from being complete. The issue of "best physician"
is very much dependant upon reputation, and given the laws that
prohibit doctors from advertising themselves, reputation is hard to
prove; and proves to be even more problematic, when issues of "self
promotion" come into the picture. My methodology, in conducting this
search, was mostly to rely on what others have written, using search
terms such as "leading" (or "best, or "recommended") with the
appropriate term (surgeon, consultant, physician, etc.); in addition
to the lists.
I hope this answered your question. Please contact me if you need any
further clarifications on this answer before you rate it. |
Request for Answer Clarification by
mimi25-ga
on
10 Aug 2004 08:42 PDT
Dear politicalguru,
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for
the effort you put in. I do have some more questions, if that's ok. I
also asked about plastic/cosmetic surgeons in both countries, which
you havent touched upon. Moreover, my friend is 22 years old and hasnt
been diagnosed with any tumors/cancer or diseases due to her
deformity. I am not sure if she was born with it, but it became
noticable in her mid-teens. since Aesthetic is really important, i was
wondering are maxillofacial surgeons aware of that or do they just fix
the problem.
Thanks
|
Clarification of Answer by
politicalguru-ga
on
10 Aug 2004 10:25 PDT
Dear Mimi,
I apologise - I guess that haven't made myself clear: whenever a
maxillofacial procedure is required, you need a specialist in oral
surgery - one cannot just take a plastic surgeon, as good as they
might be.
Maxillofacial surgeons are for this matter - plastic surgeons. A
"normal" plastic surgeon would have to specialise in oral and
maxillofacial dental medicine before they could operate: maxillofacial
surgeons are qualified both in "general" (or plastic) surgery and in
dental surgery.
It is true, some of them are leery of surgeries for pure aesthetic
reasons (and one could understand that: not to go under unnecessary
procedures that could be always risky, when there is no risk to the
health in the current condition), but given the situation you're
describing, it sounds as if it might also affect her ability to chew,
speak properly, and could even cause pain.
Was she properly diagnosed? Changes in the facial structure since
adolecense could be attributed to numerous serious problems. Only
proper diagnosis by a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery
could determine if the problem could and should be solved by
operation.
If the diagnosis rejects the necessity of maxillofacial operation
(claiming the the issue is purely aesthetic), the need of a general
plastic surgeon might arise, for aesthetic facial implant. Still, one
would be recommended - if possible - to take an oral / maxillofacial
surgeon for the operation. It is important in such a case, to make
sure (in the UK) that the surgeon belongs to the British Association
of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), as any surgeon could perform
plastic surgeries in the UK, but BAPS members specialise in
plastic/aesthetic procedures.
Some of the recommended doctors in such a case:
Wolfgang Gubisch - at the same hospital as Wangerin
<http://www.vinzenz.de/marienhospital/plastische/Gubisch/gubisch.htm>
According to Dr. Foster's waiting time comparison, there are several
opportunities for you in both cases. However, please be aware that NHS
waiting time is in my opinion not a definite indicator of how good a
physician is - a doctor that specialise in a very specific aspect of
the problem might have a very short waiting time:
Plastic Surgeons
<http://home.drfoster.co.uk/home/compare_consultant.asp?body=7&condcode=165&specid=160&name=&pc=&loc_type=town>
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeons
<http://home.drfoster.co.uk/home/compare_consultant.asp?body=7&condcode=165&specid=140&name=&pc=&loc_type=town>
General lists of recommended plastic surgeons:
UK
<http://www.isaps.org/members.asp?IdCountry=19>
Germany
<http://www.isaps.org/members.asp?IdCountry=18>
|
