A team of surgeons from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in partnership with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare recently completed a revolutionary “Jaw in a Day” surgery, the first of its kind in Tennessee and the Mid-South region. Conducted at Methodist University Hospital, the surgery involved removing an advanced tumor from the face of a teenage patient and fully reconstructing the jaw in a single day.
This major accomplishment marks a significant advancement in facial plastic surgery, as traditional methods usually require multiple procedures over a period of several months to years. Anas Eid, MD, chief of Facial Plastic Surgery in the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine, and leader of the “Jaw in a Day” surgery team, said in addition to advancing the science of facial surgery, this procedure significantly improves the patient’s experience from the surgery through the recovery process.
“The significant advantage of the ‘Jaw in a Day’ procedure is its ability to substantially shorten the treatment timeline. This results in a faster recovery time, less discomfort, and an improved quality of life for the patient, allowing them to reintegrate into their normal life more swiftly,” Dr. Eid said.
Currently, UT Health Science Center and Methodist University Hospital are the only institutions in Tennessee and the surrounding area to offer “Jaw in a Day” surgery. “We were happy to collaborate with our academic partner UT Health Science Center to pioneer this transformative procedure for our region, as it’s our unwavering commitment to offer the Mid-South the most advanced surgical care possible,” said Methodist University President Tim Slocum, FACHE. “We believe everyone should have access to the highest quality safest care close to their own backyard and will continue to pursue the highest level of excellence in delivering on our promise.”
Read more at our UTHSC news site.