Oman’s Plastic Surgery Service

In a rare recognition of Oman’s capabilities in plastic surgery services, two articles documenting novel techniques in the operation of cleft children, authored by Dr C Thomas, Senior Consultant and Head of Oman’s Plastic Surgery Service, have been published in the prestigious US Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. The articles detailing a particular technique in the operation of cleft children are titled, ‘Primary rhinoplasty by open approach along with the repair of the complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip at the age of three months’.

Conceived in 1994, the technique was developed at Khoula Hospital over the years to correct nasal deformities along with the repair of the cleft lip. In the past, nasal deformities were corrected by a separate operation at a later stage. By adopting this new technique, a separate operation can be avoided, while at the same time, offering a new normal appearance to the face of the cleft children at the very early age of three months. In light of the excellent results provided by this technique, Dr Thomas was invited as a guest faculty at the World Craniofacial Foundation conference in Texas, USA in September 2008.

At the event, he was invited to perform this operation which was telecast live to an audience of over 500 plastic surgeons from around the world. Significantly, Dr Thomas is the only plastic surgeon working outside of the United States to be invited to perform the live operation during the conference. Later this month, Dr Thomas will also attend the International Confederation of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Congress, which will be held in New Delhi from November 29 to December 2. At the invitation of the organizers, he will give a lecture on the aforementioned surgical technique.

Dr Thomas’ participation in the Delhi event is a further recognition of the medical work accomplished by the Health Ministry’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Khoula Hospital.

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