Cosmetic Surgery Open Evning

 

Charles will be presenting a cosmetic surgery open evening at the Montefiore Hospital in Hove on Wednesday 24 April 2013 at 6:30pm.   If you are considering cosmetic surgery and would like to attend this free, informative event please contact Sophie Evans on 01273 828085 or email sophie.evans@spirehealthcare.com to register your interest.

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Open Evening at Spire Gatwick Park Hospital, 15 February 2011

Charles Nduka will be co hosting a Cosmetic Surgery Open Evening at the Spire Gatwick Park Hospital, Horley on Tuesday 15 February 2011 starting at 7pm.  Charles will cover a variety of cosmetic procedures in his talk, which will include before and after photographs of previous patients.  There will be light refreshments, information to take away and an opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment, without any obligation or financial commitment.
 

The event is free but numbers are limited. To book your place please call 01293 778 906 or email beaulieu.harris@spirehealthcare.com. Please provide your name, home postcode, contact telephone number and how you heard about the event.  Please also state the cosmetic procedure you are considering.

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Charles Nduka begins new trial of Insulin to Treat Scars

Scars can be very distressing, especially after accidents. After an operation they may be the last reminder of the illness. In most cases scars heal as a pale fine line, but abnormal scars, called hypertrophic scars are red, raised and may be itchy. A keloid scar is a scar that continues to grow and can be very unsightly and impact on the patient's quality of life.

Reducing the impact of a scar is the goal of every plastic surgeon and a way to reduce the size or symptoms scars is a holy grail.

Preliminary research has indicated that insulin (a hormone found naturally in the body, which can be synthesised to treat diabetes) injected at the time of surgery may reduce scar formation.

A randomised trial of eligible patients having bilateral breast surgery at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and the McIndoe Surgical Centre will investigate whether this effect will be useful for future patients. Ethical committee approval has been granted to recruit 75 women who are due to have plastic surgery. Patients who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast uplift may be eligible if they require further surgery, or the scar needs revision. If successful, in future the trial may help patients with scars following surgery such as mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

The trial will run for 2 years and results will be available in 2013.

Facial Palsy Service commended in national awards

The Health Service Journal national awards commended the Facial Palsy Service at the Queen Victoria Hospital in a ceremony in London. The service, pioneered by Charles Nduka a team of dedicated therapists and specialists was recognised for improving access to healthcare for the many patients left with long-term neurological disability.

Breast Reconstruction patient information DVD

The quality of information available to women considering breast reconstruction after mastectomy varies widely, particularly for women considering more advanced techniques such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. Between 2005-2008 I produced a patient information DVD based on interviews with patients, surgeons, and allied health professionals. The DVD, “Breast Reconstruction For Life” was launched in October 2008 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and achieved widespread coverage in the media. Distribution is through a charitable foundation and via a website www.breastreconstructionforlife.org.uk

Free DVD for breast cancer patients revealing range of alternatives

An inequality in breast reconstruction options for mastectomy patients has been highlighted by a West Sussex hospital.

The Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) announced that women considering breast reconstruction following breast cancer are often not given the full range of options available for reconstruction in what can sometimes be a ‘postcode lottery' - and may end up choosing an option that isn't right for them or which requires further plastic surgery in the future. In light of this, the hospital has launched a free DVD, available nationally, which gives comprehensive information about the reconstruction options available, as well as information on ‘finishing touches' such as nipple reconstruction and nipple tattooing.

The DVD (www.breastreconstructionforlife.org.uk) includes the personal journey of a woman undergoing the procedure, and interviews with other women in the process and gives expert advice on the best options and how to go about accessing them.

According to Charles Nduka, consultant plastic surgeon at QVH who directed the DVD:

"There are four different options for breast reconstruction following mastectomy but not all of these are offered as a standard, and indeed in hospitals where there isn't a plastic surgeon the patient may never know the full range of alternatives. This DVD seeks to raise awareness of the options and techniques so that women can make the right choice for their lifestyle."

Read more at:

http://www.qvh.nhs.uk/news/breast_reconstruction_options_DVD.html

Audit of Breast Reduction Surgery Provision in England reveals Postcode Lottery

Criteria for funding Breast Reduction surgery laid down by the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England vary widely. There was anecdotal evidence of a “postcode lottery” of provision of this intervention which has well-documented health benefits. We surveyed the funding criteria for BBR of all 303 Trusts in England and found that even with explicit guidelines, considerable variation in local funding criteria exists with resultant inequalities in provision. This work was presented by one of our trainees, Will Wraight, at the annual meeting of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.