Lower limb and general plastics

Our large team treat the full range of leg and general trauma conditions requiring plastic surgery, including scarring and acute and secondary reconstruction in upper and lower limbs.

Supporting the service, our Outlier Services Team provides integrated and individualised care to vulnerable patients who are referred by other hospitals around the region for specialist plastic surgery.

A community based nurse practitioner specialising in tissue viability and wound healing assesses patients in their own home to arrange the specialist treatment they need and supports local community nurses in their continuing care. Using the hospital’s telemedicine system, each patient is reviewed carefully by consultant plastic surgeons and admission arranged if surgery is the best course of action.

As part of the lower limb service Lt Col Cubison also specialises in the management of amputation and the secondary surgery of amputation stumps/residual limbs to aid in comfortable prosthetic use. Our patients are both military and civilian and we have close links with civilian regional limb fitting services.

Mr Adam Blackburn

Specialist Interests: Breast reconstruction, microsurgery, acute burns surgery, skin cancer, trauma and general plastic surgery

Mr Adam Blackburn joined Queen Victoria Hospital in 2012. He graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine, London and underwent basic surgical training at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. He completed his higher surgical training in plastic surgery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he developed his interest in microsurgical reconstruction. In 2010 he was awarded the Bruce Bailey microsurgical trauma fellowship and spent 2 months at one of the busiest and largest trauma hospitals in Asia (The Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, India). He has completed his training with a further 2 years worth of specialist microsurgical fellowships in breast cancer reconstruction at St Thomas’ Hospital, London and Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

Mr Blackburn is a fully qualified, UK trained, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. He has been awarded the intercollegiate fellowship in plastic surgery, FRCS(Plast), and is on the GMC’s specialist register for plastic surgery.

Miss Tania Cubison

Specialist interests: Burns; scaring; lower limb trauma reconstruction; microsurgery

Miss Tania Cubison is a military plastic surgeon who first joined Queen Victoria Hospital as an SHO in 1996. Miss Cubison is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and is one of two military doctors currently posted to the trust. As one of a small number of regular army plastic surgeons Lt.Col.Cubison has an operational role and will occasionally be deployed overseas.

Miss Cubison underwent specialist registrar training in East Grinstead and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and was awarded the McGregor Gold medal for the FRCS (Plast) examination in 2006. She completed her training with a specialist burn fellowship at St Andrew’s Burn Centre, Chelmsford and visits to burn centres in the USA.

Specialises in lower limb trauma reconstruction and microsurgery, particularly the surgical management of amputees. She has recently been involved with the new technique of targeted muscle reinnervation, which is producing optimistic results in reduction of phantom pain and general stump pain in the amputee population.

Miss Cubison is the safeguarding lead for the Trust as well as medical director, and is very involved in outlooking at human factors and the influence on patient’s safety of team building and communication.

She is an active member of the British Burns Association and is currently the chair of the Senate for the Emergency Management of Severe Burns in the UK, as well as sitting on the Committee for the Trauma Interface Group. Miss Cubison is also a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee in Plastic Surgery, responsible for the training of the national trainees and has responsibility for less than full-time training, military trainees and also provides external support to the Yorkshire Deanery.

Mr Baljit Dheansa

Specialist interests: Burns; scarring; burn reconstruction; skin cancer; leg trauma; breast surgery; vascular anomalies.

Mr Baljit Dheansa was appointed as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the hospital in 2003 having trained at QVH as well as several London teaching hospitals.

He also works at Royal Sussex County Hospital to support the major trauma centre there and provides specialist plastic surgery input for complex cases there. He also runs burns clinics at Brighton for adults and children and has recently set up joint clinics with paediatric surgeons based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

In addition to the burns service he has a keen interest in managing patients with skin cancer, leg trauma, breast surgery, as well as general plastic and reconstructive surgery. More recently he has also developed a sub specialist interest in vascular anomalies. He is a member of the Sussex Skin Cancer Network and South East Burns Network.  He is involved in many aspects of research being a member of the Research and Development Committee, and in several clinical trials in the field of burns, as well as supporting basic and translational science projects.

In addition to his Queen Victoria Hospital roles he is a member of the London and South East Burn Operational Delivery Network, British Burns Association Research Committee and the Scar Free Foundation Research Council.

Baljit is committed to training the plastic surgeons of the future and takes an active role in developing the skills of the junior doctor team. He is also an examiner for the specialist FRCS (Plast) examination.

Baljit is a key supporter of the innovative technologies developed at the hospital such as the excellent telemedicine system, having presented to the Parliamentary Health Select Committee on its benefits to patient care. He is a founding member of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetics Innovation Special Interest Group which aims to help bring new ideas and innovative products to patients requiring plastic surgery.

Miss Rachael Harrison

Specialist interests: Burns surgery, hand surgery and lower limb trauma and reconstruction.

Miss Rachael Harrison was appointed as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon (locum) at QVH in September 2022.

Miss Harrison graduated in Medicine from Imperial College London with a 1st Class honours in Surgery and Anaesthesia, following which she trained throughout London and completed higher Plastic surgery training in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Miss Harrison has completed both a Hand and Wrist fellowship at Frimley Health NHS Trust and an Extremity microsurgical fellowship at Imperial College NHS Foundation Trust. This gained her expertise in trauma, reconstruction and planned procedures for the upper and lower limb. She is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and is on the GMC specialist register.

Miss Harrison was awarded the Blond McIndoe Research Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of England for her research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. She was awarded a PhD from Imperial College London for her work into gliding tissue interfaces to improve outcomes following hand surgery. Miss Harrison has an interest in translational research and has been involved in many large studies run by the Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network (RSTN). She looks to improve links between basic science research and clinical practice to ultimately optimise outcomes for patients.

Miss Anita Hazari

Specialist interests: plastic surgery; breast surgery.

Anita has been a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at QVH since 2006. She is on the specialist Plastic Surgery GMC register. She is a member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and Association of Breast Surgery (ABS)

After being the Breast Oncoplastics Lead for QVH (2008-2012), bringing about policy changes such as need for a screening mammogram in breast reduction patients pre-operatively, Anita represented the South East as a BAPRAS Council member 2013-15. Anita was on the PRASIS Board for 3 years (2014-16) and served as its Executive Chair 2017-18. She was the National Lead (2015-20) for the cross-speciality UK National Flap Registry (UKNFR) a collaboration between 5 surgical speciality associations and produced its first report with over 5,000 cases in December 2019. Anita loves to teach and is currently the Chair of Plastic Surgery at JCIE (Joint Committee on InterCollegiate Examinations) for FRCS(Plast) examinations.

In her early years, Anita undertook research in nerve regeneration at the Blond McIndoe Centre, East Grinstead for two years which culminated in a higher degree (MD) from the University of London. The Royal College of Surgeons of England recognised her original work in nerve grafting and awarded a Hunterian Professorship in May 1999. As a specialist registrar in plastic surgery on the pan-Thames /London rotation, she worked in plastic surgery centres in Chelmsford, Royal Free Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital, East Grinstead and Mount Vernon Hospital. Additional training in microsurgery allowed her to develop specialist skills in breast reconstruction. She also spent time at the Christine Kleinert Institute of Hand and Microsurgery, Louisville, USA in 2004 followed by an Upper Limb Fellowship at the Wrightington Hospital, 2005.

She provides a plastic surgery service to East Kent and holds additional clinics in Canterbury. She has a sub-speciality interest in breast reconstructive surgery and provides the whole repertoire of reconstruction including DIEP (abdomen), TUG (inner thigh), Buttock (SGAP), LD (back) flaps in addition to the use of implants.

Anita is keen on all sports in particular running and tennis and has an active family life with her husband and young son.

Qualifications -MBBS,MD, FRCS, FRCS(Plast)

Mr Asit Khandwala

Specialist interests: All aspects of plastic surgery especially hand surgeryMr Asit Khandwala started in Plastic Surgery in 1989. He has trained both in the UK and India. He trained in Plastic Surgery at the St James University Hospital in Leeds, Charing Cross, Chelsea and Westminster, St Andrew’s Centre for Plastic Surgery in Chelmsford and Queen Mary’s, Roehamptom. He also trained at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. He completed his specialist training and was appointed a Consultant at the Queen Victoria Hospital in 2004.Mr Khandwala is a fully accredited specialist in Plastic Surgery and a full member of the BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) and also a full member of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH). Mr Khandwala is also involved with research, audit and education of medical students.

He runs general plastic surgery, skin cancer, breast surgery and hand surgery clinics at Queen Victoria Hospital, and in Dartford and Horsham. He has a special interest in Hand Surgery, especially rheumatoid hands and nerve reconstruction.

Mr Ian King

Special interests: Skin cancer, Microsurgical reconstruction, Lower Limb, Trauma, Breast, General Plastic Surgery.

Mr Ian King is a UK-trained Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and was appointed to QVH in 2021. He has been awarded the intercollegiate Fellowship in Plastic Surgery to the Royal College of Surgeons, is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery, and is a full member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).

Mr King holds degrees from both Oxford and Newcastle Universities. He completed his foundation programme and plastic surgery-themed core surgical training in hospitals throughout the north east of England prior to taking up higher surgical training in plastic surgery in London and the south east. By rotating through prestigious and high-volume units, Mr King developed his interest in post-traumatic and cancer reconstruction.

Mr King has completed two distinguished microsurgery fellowships at QVH and at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He has also completed further subspecialty fellowships in extremity trauma reconstruction at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, and in skin cancer surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, London, where he trained in sentinel node biopsy, the surgical management of patients with melanoma and post-Mohs surgery complex reconstruction. Mr King was awarded the BAAPS/BAPRAS Aesthetic Fellowship which was based at the Cadogan Clinic, London. These posts gave him excellent experience in cancer management, trauma and cancer reconstruction and in developing advanced microsurgical skills.

Mr King is an active member of the Sussex specialist skin cancer multi-disciplinary team and is the clinical governance lead for plastic surgery at QVH. He holds an Honorary Consultant contract at University Hospitals Sussex where he works alongside a team of consultant colleagues to provide specialist reconstructive services focusing on lower limb trauma, cardiothoracic reconstruction and complex wounds. He also has a keen interest in medical education; as an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, he has established and runs weekly clinical medical student plastics teaching at the major trauma centre in Brighton.

GMC: 7042930

Qualifications: MA(Oxon) MBBS MRCS FRCS(Plast.)

Mr Andy Mellington

Specialist Interests: microsurgery; breast reconstruction; lower limb reconstruction; skin cancer; perineal and abdominal wall reconstruction.

Mr Andy Mellington is a UK trained Consultant Plastic Surgeon and is on the GMC’s specialist register for plastic surgery.

He qualified in medicine from Oxford University and, after a period working in New Zealand, returned to the UK to train in surgery. His career in plastic surgery started as a junior doctor at QVH. Following early surgical training, Andy undertook a Master’s degree in surgical science at Imperial College London for which he was awarded the highest distinction in his year for his thesis on thermal manipulation of ear cartilage.

Andy’s higher plastic surgery training was based in London and the South East. In 2012, Andy was awarded the Intercollegiate Fellowship in Plastic Surgery, the FRCS(Plast). He then undertook specialist fellowships in cosmetic surgery at The London Clinic, in cancer reconstruction at The Royal Marsden Hospital, in cancer reconstruction and trauma at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals and QVH and in trauma at the Major Trauma Centre in Brighton. These fellowships have enabled Andy to develop a broad practice, with skills in a wide range of reconstructive procedures.

Andy’s main practice at QVH is breast reconstruction. He also holds an Honorary Consultant appointment with Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals where, along with a team of consultant colleagues, he provides specialised reconstructive services focusing on lower limb trauma and reconstruction of complex wounds. Andy also has a specialist interest in perineal and abdominal wall reconstruction.

Registration: GMC 4548287
Qualifications: BMBCh MSc MA(Oxon) FRCS(Plast)

Miss Alexandra Molina

Specialist interests: Microsurgery, breast reconstruction, perineal reconstruction, general plastic surgery.

Miss Alexandra Molina is a UK trained Consultant Plastic Surgeon and is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery.

She graduated from Cambridge University with Distinction and started her Plastic Surgery training in 2008. During her registrar post in London she completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical Education at St George’s, University of London. In 2015 she was awarded the Intercollegiate Fellowship in Plastic Surgery or FRCS(Plast). For her outstanding performance in these final examinations she was awarded the McGregor ‘Gold’ Medal.

Alex has completed two prestigious microsurgery fellowships at St Thomas’ Hospital, London and QVH. She then worked as a locum consultant, performing principally DIEP breast reconstruction, at the Royal Marsden Hospital, before taking up her permanent post at QVH. Her main interest is in microsurgical breast reconstruction, but she also holds honorary contracts at Darent Valley and Maidstone Hospitals, where she is involved in perineal reconstruction after rectal cancer. She runs a peripheral clinic at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where she covers general plastic surgery, including skin cancer.

In 2017-18 Alex was awarded the Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leaders Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. She maintains her interest in teaching and leadership alongside her clinical commitments. She also has a young son who keeps her busy in her spare time!

Mr Sam Orkar

Specialist interests: Breast surgery including breast reconstruction and breast asymmetry, skin cancers and problem scars.

Kusu Samuel Orkar was appointed Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Queen Victoria Hospital on 1 July 2009.

Sam qualified at the University of Jos in Nigeria and was the best graduating student in his year.  He completed the Nigerian and West African training in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery and worked as a Consultant General and Plastic surgeon in Nigeria.  He undertook further training in Plastic Surgery in the UK at the Canniesburn Unit, Glasgow, St Andrews Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns, Chelmsford, Queen Victoria Hospital and the McIndoe Surgical Centre both in East Grinstead.

Sam has done fellowships in breast/microsurgery, hand surgery and cosmetic surgery to further hone his skills.

Sam’s subspecialty interests are breast surgery including reconstruction, skin cancer, and problem scars.  Sam runs clinics at QVH and the Medway Maritime Hospital.

Sam is on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery and is a member of BAPRAS and BAAPS

Qualifications:

• BM BCh University of Jos, Nigeria
• FMCS(Nig) Fellow Medical College of Surgery, Nigeria
• FWACS (plast) Fellow West African College of Surgeons (plastic surgery)
• FRCS Ed Fellow Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh
• FRCSEd(Plast) Royal College of Surgeons Intercollegiate Fellow(plastic surgery)

Mr Mark Pickford

Specialist interest: Hand surgery

Mr Mark Pickford is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, sub-specialising in hand surgery. Within the arena of hand surgery he has particular interest in treating children’s hands, including those with congenital differences. Mark was trained in plastic surgery in the UK, and also during a one year hand surgery fellowship with Harold Kleinert’s group in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr Pickford holds two hand surgery clinics a week at QVH, one on a Monday for children, and one on a Friday for adults. The general plastics part of his practice covers the Hastings geographical area. He spends all day Tuesday each week at the Conquest Hospital providing outpatient clinic services, and also outpatient surgery for patients with skin malignancies.

Mr Pickford’s interests include hand trauma, surgery for congenital hand differences, management of Dupuytren’s disease including all surgical options and Xiapex/collagenase injection treatment. His work routinely encompasses management of inflammatory arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and also degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) which manifest themselves in the hand. He has an interest in wrist pathology including degenerative conditions and instabilities resulting from injury, and routinely performs arthroscopy examinations and treatments. His work routinely involves the management of nerve compression syndromes in the upper limb.

Mr Pickford’s work for general plastic surgery covers a broad scope ranging from skin cancer management to breast reconstruction using all available techniques (tissue expansion, Latissimus flaps and DIEP flaps).

Mr T C Teo

Specialist interests: Hand surgery; upper and lower limb reconstruction following trauma or disease.

Mr Teo graduated from Aberdeen University in 1982. In 1987 he was awarded a Harvard University Research Fellowship and spent a year in Boston, USA, studying the role of lipid in nutritional support of major burns and sepsis. His MD thesis, based on this work, was awarded with honours together with the Cash Medal in 1991. His plastic surgery experience included oversea fellowships in Taiwan and Australia.

TC is world famous for his pioneering work in the fields of propeller flaps, perforator flaps including the SCIP and post-auricular free flap, and supermicrosurgery. He is one of the first Plastic Surgeons to embrace the supermicrosurgery concept and was a pioneer in this field, together with contempories such as Koshima. He has been invited worldwide to teach and perform “live surgery” on many microsurgery, perforator and instructional courses, and is one of the founding faculty of the International Masters in Microsurgery course.

Recently, as Visiting Professor to the Canniesburn Flap and Perforator Course 2019 he gave special lectures on “Supermicrosurgery” and also on “Propeller and Perforator Flaps”.

He also likes teaching and doing voluntary work in developing countries and has been to operate in Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Brazil and Siberia. He believes that engaging with young surgeons and teaching them techniques which they can then use to treat their own communities has a greater long-term benefit.