Mr Ibrahim Albert Srouji areas of expertise:

Professional statement

Mr Ibrahim Albert Srouji is a consultant surgeon who holds dual qualification in both ENT (ear, nose and throat) and facial plastic surgery. He completed the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in 2007 and is on the GMC specialist register. After graduating from the University of Southampton School of Medicine, Mr Srouji completed his surgical training in London, Cardiff, Cambridge, Amsterdam and the USA.

Mr Srouji provides attentive and expert advice on a wide range of the ear, nose and throat conditions. He is clinical lead for all children’s surgery at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and provides private adult children’s ENT surgery at his Cambridgeshire clinic. He has published articles in several peer-reviewed medical journals and presented his work at a number of prestigious meetings including the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

Mr Srouji is also the overall clinical lead of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ENT Transformation Partnership. He is every day heavily involved in service improvement, modernisation of the patient pathway and enhancing patient experience.

Within the field of cosmetic surgery, Mr Srouji is a sub-specialist exclusively focusing on the more intricate facial areas such as rhinoplasty and facelifting. In 2009, he completed the UK Department of Health Interface Fellowship in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, the rigorous Board Examination of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for international certification, and the full fellowship of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. He has extensive experience in nasal deformity and airway surgery and has to date carried out over 500 rhinoplasty procedures.

His dual qualifications in facial plastic surgery and ENT enable him to take care of both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the nose, achieving pleasing and natural aesthetic results whilst at the same time protecting the internal function of the nose.

Doctor's articles

Rhinoplasty: how to choose the right no...

Credentials

GMC: ‍4520333

Professional experience

• More than 10 years of experience
• Consultant ENT & facial plastic surgeon, Mulberry Private Healthcare (present)
• Consultant ENT & facial plastic surgeon, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (2013 - present)

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Sub-specialties

• Endoscopic sinus surgery
• Paediatric ENT
• Parotidectomy
• Rhinoplasty
• Face lift
• Otoplasty
• Nasal polyps
• Sinusitis

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Education

• MD, University of Southampton School of Medicine (1998)
• FRCS, Royal College of Surgeons of England (2007)

Prizes and awards

• McCarthy Award

Professional membership

• Royal College of Surgeons of England
• European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons

Languages spoken

English
Arabic

Diseases, Medical Tests and Treatments

Dizziness

What is dizziness? Dizziness refers to feeling light-headed, off-balance, faint, like you are spinning, or like things are spinning around you (als ...

Endoscopic sinus surgery

What is endoscopic sinus surgery? Sinus surgery was typically performed in the past using external incisions, which caused discomfort and a s ...

Otoplasty

What is otoplasty? Otoplasty, which is also known as ear correction surgery or cosmetic ear surgery, is a surgical procedure to change the size, sh ...

Paediatric ENT

What is paediatric ENT? ENT is a medical subspeciality that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the ear, ...

Parotid gland surgery

What are the parotid glands? There are three main pairs of salivary glands that produce and release saliva into the mouth: the submandibular glands, the sublingual salivary glands and the parotid glands. The parotid glands are responsible for secreting saliva into the mouth to start the process of digestion. What is parotid surgery and why is it performed? Parotid gland surgery, also known as a parotidectomy, is an operation to remove tumours that grow in the parotid gland. It is estimated that more than 70% of these tumours are benign (non-cancerous), but any lumps detected should be analysed. There are different variations of this surgery, which are performed according to the type, size and location of the tumour. The most common interventions are superficial parotidectomy and total parotidectomy. A key part of these procedures is to preserve the facial nerve to avoid complications of facial paralysis. Are the salivary glands affected by any other pathologies? The salivary glands may also be affected by other pathologies, the most common of which are: Sialolithiasis - a blockage of the salivary gland by calcium stones, which prevents the release of saliva, thus causing inflammation of the affected salivary gland. Sialadenitis - an infection of the salivary glands. It may be the result of sialolithiasis or be caused by a virus or bacteria. Are there any complications after parotid gland surgery? The parotid is a soft gland, not very palpable under normal conditions, that occupies the space between the jaw and ears. When the parotid is removed, it leaves a hollow area between the jaw and the sternocleidomastoid muscle that may be quite evident. To resolve this problem, once the gland has been removed, we reconstruct the defect with an SMAS flap. This consists of covering over the area by tightening the fascia that covers the parotid gland and the platysma muscle of the neck. This technique can be used in most cases, except in patients with malignant tumours. The incision typically made in this procedure leaves a visible scar on the neck. However, there is another, more aesthetic, type of incision. This is made behind the ear, hidden in the hair, and is practically invisible after a few months. ...

Rhinoplasty (nose job)

What is rhinoplasty? A rhinoplasty, more commonly referred to as a ‘nose job’, is an operation performed to change the shape or size of the nose, whether for aesthetic or functional purposes (functional rhinoplasty). Why is rhinoplasty performed? Rhinoplasty may be performed on those who are unhappy with the appearance of their nose, those who have experienced trauma to the nose, or on those who have functional problems (e.g breathing/sinus difficulties). The rhinoplasty procedure can improve the aesthetics and function of the nose, depending on the goal the patient wants to achieve. Rhinoplasty can make the nose smaller, larger, change its shape, or change the angle that exists between the nose and the top lip. What happens during rhinoplasty? Currently, two types of surgery are generally performed: Open rhinoplasty: a cut is made in the middle of the nose to better access the bones and cartilage. Closed rhinoplasty: accessing the nose through the nostrils so no scars are left (though this operation is not always able to be done, and it depends on the skillset of the surgeon). The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic, meaning you won’t be awake for the surgery. The procedure can take anything from one hour and a half to three hours. You may also need to stay in hospital or at the clinic overnight, or for a couple of days. Preparation Before the operation, you will need to attend an initial consultation with your surgeon. This may be either a facial plastic surgeon (an ENT surgeon, who has trained extensively in the anatomy of the face and the functionality of the nose) or a plastic surgeon (who performs various types of plastic surgery on the body). They will conduct a thorough examination, discuss your expectations with you, and determine if you are eligible for surgery. Before your operation, if you decide to go ahead, the surgeon will take pictures in order to provide a photo analysis and discuss expected outcomes. They will also explain the risks of the surgery in detail, and ask you to sign a disclosure form. Post-operative care After the operation, you’ll have to take about two weeks off work in order to recover. However, results of the procedure may not be visible until a few months later. Immediately after the procedure, and a short stay in the clinic, arrange for a friend to take you home, as you will not be able to drive for a couple of days. Your stitches can usually be removed after a week, if they are not the dissolvable kind. If you are wearing a splint, this may be able to be removed at this stage too. After three weeks, bruising and swelling should be significantly reduced. You can expect return to playing sports and higher intensity activity at about four to six weeks. There will be some aftercare which you can follow at home with your doctor’s recommendation, including: Avoiding hot baths Avoiding dust and smoke Getting your splint wet Making sure to sneeze through your mouth rather than your nose Avoiding blowing your nose until your split is removed Propping your head up with pillows while resting (this helps the swelling go down) Your doctor can prescribe you pain medication such as paracetamol to help with any pain. You may experience nosebleeds for the first few days after surgery, and there will be some swelling and bruising which will go down after time. ...

Facelift

What is a face lift? The face lift, or facial rejuvenation surgery, is an intervention that corrects the most visible signs of facial ageing, by tightening facial muscles, reducing fat, redistributing skin and eliminating excess tissue. This intervention is usually done under general anaesthesia. There are various types of face lift, according to the areas of the face treated: upper face lift, which elevates sagging brows and eliminates forehead wrinkles; middle face lift, which eliminates fat that has accumulated in the cheekbones and lifts the cheeks; and lower face lift, which reduces fat along the jawline and neck (so-called double chin). Why is it done? Lax and sagging skin is a clear sign of the passage of time and is particularly visible in the face; in many patients, this can give rise to a complex. Hence, the aim of a complete face lift is to reduce laxity and to restructure the affected areas. What does it involve? The procedure is generally carried out by making incisions behind the hairline and behind the earlobe, continuing towards the nape of the neck if necessary, so that scars remain camouflaged. Via these incisions, skin is stretched and sectioned, leaving the face looking firmer and more youthful. How to prepare for it Before the face lift, you must follow some important instructions: stop smoking at least 15 days before the operation; for the intervention itself, do not wear contact lenses or make-up and make sure your skin is clean and well hydrated. Furthermore, at the pre-surgery consultation, you will have to tell the surgeon about any medications you are taking and any allergies you have, because more preparation might be necessary. Post-operative care Patients normally leave the clinic 24 hours after the intervention; however this will depend on your evolution and on the surgeon’s recommendation. In the first few days after the intervention, it is recommended to sleep on two pillows in order to reduce the swelling and to avoid drinking hot drinks or chewing too much, so that the stitches are not affected. The swelling and haematomas will disappear over the first few days. ...

Facial plastic surgery

What is facial plastic surgery? Facial plastic surgery is a broad term covering cosmetic or reconstructive surgery performed on the head and neck. A facial plastic surgeon has a strong knowledge of facial anatomy and is highly skilled in procedures concerning the head and neck, either cosmetic or reconstructive. Specialised plastic surgeons are not the only doctors who may be suitably trained to perform facial plastic surgery. It may be performed by otolaryngology (ENT) surgeons (whose background is conditions of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck), maxillofacial surgeons (who specialise in surgery of the face and jaw), ophthalmologists (who specialise in treating the eyes) and dermatologists (skin doctors). Common procedures performed by facial plastic surgeons include: Rhinoplasty (nose job) Neck lift Facelift Otoplasty (ear surgery) Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) Chin augmentation Why is it done? Depending on what it is used for, facial plastic surgery procedures can be divided into two main groups: reconstructive or restorative surgery and aesthetic or cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive/restorative surgery (including microsurgery) is focused on disguising the effects of an accident or trauma, congenital anomalies and facial tumors. Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery usually treats healthy patients and is done to modify the parts of the face that the patient is not happy with in order to improve their quality of life. Some procedures that are done for aesthetic reasons may also serve functional purposes such as blepharoplasty to improve vision or rhinoplasty to help the patient to breathe more easily. What does it involve? The intervention required will depend on the case. First, the the specialist surgeon will assess the patient’s situation and explain the options, including the pre and post-operative process and the results that the patient can expect. It is very important that in the whole process there is good communication between the surgeon and patient, to make sure the patient understands the process, the risks involved and realistic outcomes. How to prepare for facial plastic surgery Before the surgery, the specialist may perform tests to check the patient's health and to ensure that he or she can undergo the procedure. The type of anesthesia, the duration of the intervention and the risks will depend on each particular case. Care after the intervention The post-operative care of the intervention will depend on each type of surgery, although in most facial interventions a rest period is necessary after leaving the operating room. It is also characteristic of facial plastic surgery procedures that swelling develops in the treated area. The final results will take weeks or even months to show, as the inflammation subsides. ...

Nasal polyps

What are nasal polyps? Nasal polyps are semi-transparent growths that can form in any part of the sino-nasal mucosa. These are benign, but they may grow to the extent that they obstruct the nasal cavities. This condition is also called polypoid sinusitis. The polyps can develop at different sites in the cavities, but usually new ones develop further inwards, on the roof and sides of the nasal cavities. Symptoms of nasal polyps Symptoms of nasal polyps vary according to their size. Initially, sense of smell and taste may be muted, which can then be accompanied by partial or complete nasal obstruction. You may also experience a sensation of constant mucus, which does not improve even when you blow your nose. The presence of multiple or very large polyps may cause: A runny nose Snoring A sensation of pressure in the forehead Headache What are the causes of nasal polyps? The causes of nasal polyps are not fully understood, but we know that it has to do with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and sinuses. It is thought that people who develop nasal polyps might have a different immune system response or differences in the chemical build-up of their mucous membrane. There are also suggested links with infection, severe untreated allergies, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Polyps can develop at any age, though they are more common in young and middle-aged people. Can nasal polyps be prevented? Prevention consists of treating diseases like allergy or asthma and following the required treatments. In addition, it is important to avoid nasal irritations and to practice good hygiene via nasal washes. It may also be helpful to use a humidifier at home to moisturise the nasal cavities. If the problem is an allergy, use of antihistamines, nasal aerosols and/or an anti-allergy vaccination may help to prevent nasal polyps. What is the treatment for nasal polyps? Medical treatment is recommended according to the grade of the polyps. It may consist of a topical corticosteroid, an oral corticosteroid and/or antibiotics if there is sign of infection. If there is no response to treatment, a surgical treatment is recommended; this consists of removal of the nasal polyps and opening of the paranasal sinuses using endoscopic techniques. ...

Sinusitis

What is sinusitis? Sinusitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses which are the cavities located behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes. It occurs as a result of infection by viruses, fungi or bacteria. There are two types of sinusitis: Acute sinusitis – when the symptoms are present for four weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria that proliferate in the paranasal sinuses. Chronic sinusitis – occurs for more than 12 weeks and the causes can include infection, nasal polyps or a deviated nasal septum. What are the symptoms of sinusitis? The main symptoms of sinusitis are: Bad breath Loss of sense of smell Pain and swelling on your cheeks, eyes and forehead Fever A headache Fatigue A cough (which gets worse at night) A sore throat Congestion and nasal discharge What causes sinusitis? The cause of sinusitis is an infection caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria. When the paranasal openings are blocked, bacteria or other microorganisms can easily grow. Obstruction of the paranasal openings may be due to: The small hairs of the paranasal sinuses do not manage to remove the mucus properly. Colds and allergies can cause too much production or mucus. A deviated nasal septum, a nasal bone spur or nasal polyps. Can sinusitis be prevented? The best way to prevent sinusitis is to avoid coming down with a cold. If you cannot avoid them, it is important to treat them quickly. Some tips to prevent sinusitis are: Reduce stress Wash hands frequently Avoid smoke and pollutants Take decongestants during an upper respiratory infection Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in the nose What is the treatment for sinusitis? In general, sinusitis heals on its own and self-care can manage the discomfort, however, if it persists antibiotics can be prescribed. Some self-care techniques include: Rest Lots of fluids to stay hydrated Apply a warm compress to your face Ensure your nasal passages are drained Sleep with your head elevated Use over-the-counter painkillers to manage any pain If the symptoms do not disappear with the treatment, it may become necessary to perform surgery to enlarge the opening and to drain the sinuses. ...

Voice disorders

Voice disorders are disorders in sounds that depend on the larynx (vocal cords) and affect the pitch, timbre, intensity or duration. The origin of such changes can be organic, physiological, psychological or environmental. In addition, there are two types of disorders: dysphonia and aphonia. Aphonia is the total loss of voice temporarily or chronic and can be caused by overuse of the vocal cords, respiratory disease, intake of toxic or irritating products, excessive cold or nervous causes. Treatment may include resting the voice, medication, voice therapy or, in severe cases, surgery. Dysphonia is a disorder of voice intensity due to an injury in the organs of phonation (organic) or poor use of the voice (functional). The most common causes of this condition are overly straining your voice (voice hyperfunction), gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, infections such as laryngitis or tuberculosis, neurological disorders of the larynx, tumors, and trauma, among others. The treatment involves learning relaxation techniques and breathing, exercising the shoulder, neck and face muscles, and speech therapy. ...

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Other information about Ibrahim Albert Srouji

http://www.mulberryprivatehealthcare.co.uk/mr-ibrahim-srouji.html

Publications in the National Institute of Health

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