Gillies McIndoe Research Institute
Plastic surgery is about much more than cosmetic surgery. It is about restoring normal human form and function. These days the term ‘plastic surgery’ is often seen as synonymous with cosmetic surgery. It conjures up images of celebrities undergoing numerous procedures in their search for everlasting youth.
But the reconstructive side of plastic surgery, including microsurgery, focuses on repairing and covering up the destructive effects of accidents, disease and surgery. Plastic surgery deals with burns, major trauma to the tissue and limbs and the effects of some cancer treatments. Plastic surgery also corrects deformities which are the result of birth defects, such as a cleft palate or cleft lip.
Thousands of New Zealanders now lead fully functional lives thanks to the life-saving and life- enhancing skills of plastic surgeons. The following pages outline the history of the specialty and the work done by plastic surgeons in NZ today.
The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute is conducting research into all areas of reconstructive plastic surgery for the purpose of directly or indirectly improving patients’ quality of life. The Institute is named for Kiwi plastic surgery pioneers Sir Harold Delf Gillies and Sir Archibald McIndoe, will foster research into tissue engineering, new blood vessel formation and the molecular origin of birth defects and cancers.
Hutt Hospital’s director of surgery, Professor Swee Tan, who has received international acclaim for his research on vascular birthmarks, said they hoped to open the centre within 18 months. “It’s a dream that’s been a long time in the making.” The Institute’s six laboratories will be based on the floor above the regional plastic, maxillofacial and burns unit, which treats more than 12,000 patients each year.
The group needs $3.5m to set up the Centre and is banking on the generosity of corporate and individual donors. The next goal will be to raise $10m for an endowment fund for continuing running costs. The NZAPS is a professional association of approximately 47 qualified and registered Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
Apart from one or two retired surgeons and some overseas members, this constitutes the entire New Zealand–wide workforce of Plastic Surgeons. As such, NZAPS provides a voice for Plastic Surgeons in discussions with the Government, the Ministry of Health and bodies such as the Medical Council.
The Training and Education sub-committee of the Association is responsible for overseeing matters pertaining to the training of Plastic Surgeons in New Zealand and accordingly liaises closely with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
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