Maxillofacial surgery review

Following an external review by the Royal College of Surgeons of Leicester Hospitals Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery service, complex reconstructive cancer surgery of the oral cavity has been suspended.

The review took place at the end of 2016 and a further detailed review of patient records ensued at the start of this year, resulting in 23 recommendations being made and 85 patients treated in the service between 2014 and 2016 have since been written to.

The type of operations affected are complex resective cancer surgery requiring reconstruction with muscle flaps involving the affected oral cavity and oropharynx.

All surgery will remain suspended at Leicester Hospitals until they can be assured patients were consented appropriately, whether they were offered the best procedure to give them the best possible outcome and whether failure rates were higher than expected for the procedures carried out.

The investigation focuses on two surgeons and as a result of the review, they are currently carrying out less complex work but have been advised they will need to carry out retraining and assessment if they wish to return to this type of complex surgery.

If you have received one of these letters from the hospital, the specialist team at Freeths can help you understand what this means and options available to you. We are already acting for a number of clients so please get in touch.

We have a proven track record of representing groups in similar cases, including the recently struck off Maxillofacial surgeon Roger Bainton.

Our team of dedicated lawyers have experience in handling group action claims against organisations and individuals and our caring approach ensures you are informed at every step of the journey to get you the best possible outcome.

For further information and to discuss your situation, please contact Jane Williams.