Today we had a teaching session by Dr Gary Parker, the surgeon that has been performing max fax surgeries on board for more than 25 years. I don't think I realised how complex our faces are; the nerves, the muscles and the bones and how it's all connected. When we see patients with massive facial tumours sometime's it's easy to forget that it's not just a lump that is to be removed, but the tumour is integrated with the bones and affects blood vessels and muscles, and it doesn't just grow out, but spreads within the skull. So, these patients basically need to have half of their face removed, not just the surface, but once the tumour is out they have a gaping hole in the middle of their face. This is the most fascinating bit; when Dr Parker reconstructs a new face out of titanium and bits and pieces of bones and muscles, trying to make it look as normal as possible and remain fairly functional. Because, as he said, it's not very nice if you try and eat and the food comes out of your eye socket. And even though they'll have some scars and their skin will be a bit saggy, their face slightly uneven and they will lose a few teeth, at least they won't have to suffocate to death as the tumour slowly blocks the airway.
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