The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) highlighted the transformative role of oral and maxillofacial surgery in transforming faces, function and lives as it held its quarterly hospital grand round.

In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, the hospital said the event had the theme “Faces, Feelings and Function: The Pivotal Role of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon”.

The event, hosted by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, brought together healthcare professionals, administrators, students and trainees for an enlightening discourse on the vital role of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in restoring facial form, function and the psychological well-being of patients.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Ayodeji Oluwole, welcomed staff and students and commended the department for choosing a topic that underscored the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in managing complex facial conditions.

He noted that continuous medical education through the hospital grand round remained essential in improving patient care and promoting knowledge sharing across specialities.

The first presentation, “The Face and Its Function,” was delivered by Rachel Babayomi, who described the face as far more than a physical feature, explaining that it is central to human identity, communication and survival.

Ms Babayomi explained that the facial skeleton provides the structural framework upon which facial appearance is built, while the muscles attached to these bones enable various facial expressions, including smiling, frowning, pouting and other non-verbal forms of communication.

According to her, these structures collectively define an individual’s identity and facilitate meaningful social interaction.

She further highlighted the protective role of the face, noting that it houses and safeguards vital organs, particularly the brain, while serving as the gateway for breathing and feeding.

“Vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch are all closely linked to the face, making it indispensable to daily life and overall human function,” she said.

In her presentation, titled “Aetiology of Facial Deformities,” Fatima Kyari explained that facial deformities were among the most complex congenital and acquired conditions affecting both appearance and essential functions such as feeding, speech, breathing and hearing.

Using several clinical cases managed at LUTH, Ms Kyari demonstrated how congenital abnormalities affect facial growth and development, explaining that more than 400 syndromes have been documented worldwide to be associated with craniofacial deformities.

She highlighted the burden of facial trauma resulting from road traffic crashes, falls, sports injuries, gunshot wounds and assaults, emphasising that oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently manage some of the most complex emergencies involving the facial skeleton and surrounding soft tissues.

“The causes of facial deformities are often multifactorial and broadly classified into congenital and acquired conditions.

“Congenital deformities include cleft lip and palate, craniofacial syndromes, craniosynostosis, hemifacial microsomia and numerous hereditary conditions, while acquired deformities arise from trauma, tumours and severe craniofacial infections,” she said.

Speaking on “Facial Deformity, Self-Perception and Mental Health”, Olumide Okeowo examined the psychological consequences of facial deformities and stressed that the effects extend far beyond physical appearance.

He explained that the face was the primary means through which individuals were recognised and identified, making facial deformities particularly distressing for affected patients.

According to him, changes in facial appearance often lead to diminished self-esteem, poor body image, social withdrawal, anxiety and depression.

Mr Okeowo noted that children living with facial deformities frequently experience teasing and bullying, while adults may struggle with altered self-identity, discrimination and challenges in social relationships.

The final presentation was delivered by the Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Olutayo James, who summarised the discussions and reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to providing world-class care for patients with facial deformities.

He reiterated that the face performs essential protective, functional, communicative and aesthetic roles and that any deformity, whether congenital or acquired, can have profound physical, psychological and social consequences.

Mr James said LUTH possesses the expertise, technology and multidisciplinary team required to manage even the most complex craniofacial conditions.

According to him, the department offers advanced reconstructive procedures involving both hard and soft tissue reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis and maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation.

He further highlighted the services of the Department’s Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthetics Laboratory, where highly skilled technologists fabricate prosthetic devices for patients who cannot undergo reconstructive surgery or require additional rehabilitation.

“These include obturators for patients who have lost portions of the upper jaw, feeding plates for infants with cleft palate and facial prostheses designed to restore appearance and improve function,” Mr James said.

Mr James noted that the successful management of facial deformities depended on collaboration among oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, psychologists, prosthetists and several other healthcare professionals working together to achieve the best outcomes for patients.

The grand round reinforced LUTH’s commitment to excellence in clinical practice, continuous professional development, research and innovation, while showcasing the hospital’s capacity to provide comprehensive, patient-centred management for individuals living with complex craniofacial conditions. 

(NAN)