Plastic surgery represents an integral component of the comprehensive care of cancer patients at BSCCC. Its primary function in the treatment of cancer patients is to facilitate other surgeons and specialists to effectively treat cancer, offering patients the best opportunity for cure. Reconstructive surgery which can be required in conjunction with cancer treatment differs from cosmetic surgery because reconstructive surgery is carried out for a medical reason.
Reconstructive surgery is most commonly needed after some types of surgery to remove the cancer. A patient may choose to have reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast, a type of treatment for breast cancer. Another example is when a surgeon replaces tissue or nerves removed during treatment for head and neck cancer or skin cancer.
The Plastic Surgery Department in Bon Secours Cork Cancer Centre (BSCCC) provides services for the diagnosis, excision and reconstruction of all types of skin cancer.
GPs can refer for a routine assessment and to the Rapid Access Skin Cancer Clinic for a same week assessment and tumour biopsy.
Same day incision or excision skin cancer biopsy is provided in addition to sentinel or open lymph node biopsy.
Wider services include:
Secondary/delayed post cancer reconstructions after radiotherapy and secondary/delayed reconstruction to optimise cosmesis are also offered to patients.
Ms Ann McKenna MB, M.Med.Sci, MD, FRCS (Plast) is a full time Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon at the Bon Secours Health System Cork.
Ms McKenna graduated from U.C.C and underwent basic surgical training between Cork and Dublin. During that time she developed an interest in treating athletes and completed a M.Med.Sci (Sports Medicine) with U.C.C. Ms McKenna then completed a two year research fellowship at Harvard Medical School in the immune and inflammatory response to injury. She was awarded her doctorate and the Irish Association of Plastic Surgery Medal, the British Association of Plastic Surgery Medal and the International Leucocyte Biology Society Medal for her research.
Ms McKenna then returned home to complete 6 years specialist training in Plastic Surgery and attained a FRCS (Plast). She went on clinical fellowships at the University of Toronto in the Ross Tiley Burn Centre, Sunnybrook Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital to gain subspecialty experience in hand surgery, complex wound reconstruction and the latest techniques in adult burn and paediatric burn reconstruction, including scar modulation and LASER therapy.
She has a strong academic interest and plans to continue her research in the role of both stem cells and LASER in the appearance of scarring, contractures and post radiotherapy changes. In addition to her private practice she remains committed to teaching and is a director of Advanced Trauma Life Support in the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland and a consultant trainer for Higher Plastic Surgery Trainees. She is passionate about providing swift, high quality care to both adults and children in a centre of excellence and innovation.
Click here to view announcement of Ms McKenna's appointment:
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Please visit Dr McKenna's website at: www.drannmckenna.ie
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