Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery

History Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery

     The Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

Background

The Division was established since 1969 by Professor VichitPunyahotra MD, after finishing his plastic and maxillofacial surgery training from Duke University, North Carolina, USA. Under mentorship of Professor Kenneth L. Pickrell MD, Chief of Plastic Surgery and Professor Nicholas G. Georgaide MD, Chief of Maxillofacial Surgery, Professor Vichit obtained American Board in Plastic Surgery in 1967 and was approached by Professor KasemChatikavanij MD, Chancellor of Mahidol University, inviting him back to Thailand and, then, worked as faculty of Ramathibodi Hospital.

Professor Vichithad invited other three well-trained surgeons to build up The Division. In 1971, Professor VivatVisuthikosol, an outstanding trainee in general surgery at The Grace Hospital, Detroit, Michigan under Professor Poch MD, had got his American Board in Hand Surgery and come back to establish hand surgery and burn unit. Another pioneer, Professor TermsakNaveekarn, Dr. Ralph Millard’s trainee, was responsible for clefts treatment.

  The last outstanding pioneer, Professor PrakobThongphiew, had joined the group in 1979 by Professor Vichit’s invitation. Professor Prakob was an otolaryngology resident who specifically trained in Head and Neck Surgery at New York Memorial Hospital. He has dedicated for head and neck reconstruction surgery as well as craniofacial surgery.
   

Adopted from Duke University’s model, the plastic surgery training program in Thailand was initiated by the pioneer group from our Division and has been strengthened up over time from one resident position per year to, currently, four positions per year. With our pride, most of trainees from Ramathibodi Hospital are actively serving the population all over the country.

The following generation of retired senior faculties were:

-Professor ArthiKruavit

-Assistant Professor Narong Punyahotra

-Assistant Professor VichaiSrimuninnimit

 

There are currently 7 surgeons as faculties in The Division:

-Assistant Professor Chalermpong Chatdokmaiprai (Chief)

-Assistant Professor Kachin Wattanawong

-Assistant Professor Ajchariya Sarovath

-Dr. Surawej Numhom

-Dr. Kidakorn Kiranantawat

-Dr. Sarayuth Dumrongwongsiri

-Dr. NgamcherdSitpahul

 

Now, The Division, positioned in tertiary-care medical center, could cover and treat patients in all specific fields of plastic surgery including both reconstructive and aesthetic ways. For example:

-Craniofacial and clefts surgery

-Maxillofacial surgery

-Head and neck tumor and reconstruction

-Breast surgery (reconstructive and cosmetic)

-Hand surgery

-Microsurgery

-Vascular and lymphatic malformation

-Burns

-Bone distraction surgery

-Facial palsy surgery

-Cosmetic surgery

-Sexual reassignment surgery

Additionally, our current evolutions in patient care are presented as followings:

-Reconstructive microsurgery

-Bone distraction surgery

-Well-organized, multidisciplinary clefts clinic

-Well-established burn unit

-Autologous tissue reconstruction such as ear reconstruction, rhinoplasty etc.

Consequently, The Division of Plastic and MaxillofacialSurgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, is one of the most complete and settled center in Asia, we are truly proud of. From generation to generation, all our staffs are active, hard-working, ambitious and moral. Everyone has been certified in overseas fellowship program from several world’s best centers.

Until 2013, there are 74 plastic surgeons alumni from 33 years of our training program. With our identity of selfless dedication, most of us serve the country and population in medical, as well as, administrative services. As evidenced by 6 alumni who finally became the hospital directors.

Continuously and tirelessly, we devote to provide the best care in plastic surgery for the patients and to train young, qualified surgeons to serve the population and the country as a whole.