Robert Maweni, Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery Fellow,
HEE Thames Valley, Oxford, UK
The British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery (BSFPS) Annual Meeting 2024 convened on 18th October at the historic Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham. The event gathered leading experts and enthusiasts in facial plastic surgery, fostering an environment of learning, collaboration and innovation.
After a warm welcome from Professor Anshul Sama, BSFPS President, a series of academic sessions commenced, with talks that reflected the breadth of facial plastic surgery, such as Facial Reconstructions and Facial Reanimation, which led the way.
Anil Joshi's session on Finesse in Nasal Tip Surgery offered practical insights to enhance surgical practice in nasal tip refinement. Particularly impactful was Professor Alwyn D'Souza's candid presentation on Struggles and Pointers in Achieving Success in Facial Plastic Surgery. He emphasised that success extends beyond aesthetics, involving long-term results, patient satisfaction, functional improvements and psychological impacts. His call to be holistic surgeons resonated deeply with attendees.
Austin McCormick, an ophthalmologist, delivered a talk on The Do’s and Don’ts in Blepharoplasty Surgery. He covered patient assessment and selection, with practical tips such as identifying ptosis and understanding the impact of patient orientation during assessment, underscoring valuable interdisciplinary learning.
The keynote sessions by Dr Yves Saban were particularly enlightening. His lecture on the Surgical Anatomy of the Face and Nose was both thorough and inspiring. In Finesse in Rhinoplasty: The Five Key Lessons I Learned, he shared how his evidence-based, continuous learning approach led to refining his techniques in preservation rhinoplasty. He discussed his algorithm for deciding between preservation and structural rhinoplasty, offering attendees a valuable decision-making tool.
Another highlight was the panel discussion on Challenges of the Alar Base Subunit, chaired by Prof D'Souza with panelists including Dr Saban, Dr Callum Faris, Mark Henley and Nadia Ashraf. The panel delved into real-life cases with challenges such as nasal flare and revision surgery. They discussed practical techniques like the cinch stitch and Prof D'Souza's novel method for reducing a bulky alar base, providing attendees with actionable insights.
Later in the afternoon, Mark Henley explored Rhinoplasty in Cleft Palate/Lip Patients, sharing insights into the journey of cleft surgery in the UK.
The meeting was a rich blend of knowledge sharing and professional camaraderie, distinct in its honest discussions and practical learning. It underscored the significance of being holistic surgeons who prioritise patient-centred outcomes.
Looking ahead, the next BSFPS Annual Meeting promises to build upon this year's success. Details regarding the date and venue will be announced soon on the ENT UK website.
