Head and neck Anaesthesia
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The ENT Department at St George’s Healthcare is the ‘hub’ of the South West Thames Network. There are referrals from across south west London for complex surgery including Head and Neck cancer. The Head and Neck Unit is one of the busiest in the UK, supported by a strong multi-disciplinary team. Other ENT specialties include Otology, Rhinology, Facial Plastic Surgery, Paediatric ENT and Neuro-otology.
The Maxillofacial Unit comprises four departments: Maxillofacial Surgery, Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics and Paediatric (Children’s) Dentistry. It is recognised as a Centre of Excellence, providing specialist services not available at other hospitals e.g. surgery for head and neck cancers, facial trauma, facial deformity, reconstructive surgery of the mouth and jaws and surgical dermatology for face and neck cancers. It also has a department of Restorative Dentistry and an Orthodontic Department.
There is a strong group of Head & Neck anaesthetists who specialise in managing difficult airways; those who require awake fibreoptic intubation, and those who present with airway obstruction. The advanced airway techniques that are used and taught by this group include the use of indirect larygnoscopy and high frequency jet ventilation. They are involved in auditing all their Head and Neck patients, providing Airway Training Days which have proved very popular, and in simulation teaching.
Lead Consultant Anaesthetist: Dr Karen Light
