Putting the patient first: why a team is needed for top facial surgery results
Written by:
Plastic surgeon
Published: 02/08/2018
Edited by: Bronwen Griffiths
Approaching facial surgery as a team ensures the best appearance, health and psychological well-being for patients. Mr Jonathan Britto, a leading plastic surgeon, explains why this novel approach to facial aesthetic surgery is best for both the patient and the surgeon.
What is a multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
Facial restoration is a better experience within an MDT. A ‘facial MDT’ includes a plastic surgeon, a medical aesthetician, a psychologist, an experienced anaesthetist and a clinic nurse. They work to ensure that facial restorative or appearance-changing surgery benefits the patient, physically and mentally, and is aligned with their expectations.
What is twilight anaesthesia?
A mix of local anaesthetic, nerve blockers and intravenous sedation, allowing consciousness during surgery. The benefits in the face are significant. Every face has a ‘dynamic sweet spot’ allowing bespoke facial rejuvenation and restoration surgery. I can rebalance the dynamic facial features of the patient during surgery, their animated mobile face responding, without pain, to the surgical technique. As a result, I can be very precise.
How does this benefit patients?
We remove the risks of general anaesthesia and allow a faster recovery. There is no need to extubate the patient and there are minimal shifts in blood pressure.
I have been leading a ‘facial MDT’ for a few years and we’ve seen positive responses and results for this unique service. We believe that all appropriate facial restorative surgery should be done this way, with many benefits to the patient and surgeon.
If you are interested in facial aesthetic surgery procedures, make an appointment with an expert.