Andrew Greensmith
“One of the earliest founders of plastic surgery Gaspare Tagliacozzi gave a nice definition of what plastic surgery is – ‘it is not to beautify for the eye of the beholder but for the comfort of the afflicted’.”
Born in New Zealand, Andrew completed his degree and plastic surgical training there, then went on to receive further subspeciality training in craniofacial surgery at the Necker Hospital for Sick Children in Paris. He trained with two pioneers in craniofacial surgery, Professor Daniel Marchac and Dr Eric Arnaud, in the paediatric craniofacial unit which has the most experience worldwide.
A fellowship in cleft lip and palate surgery in Nantes followed, with Professor Jean Claude Talmant and Andrew learnt new and innovative approaches to the surgery for these problems. As well as specialising in craniofacial and cleft surgery, Andrew also learned about Microtia (reconstructive ear surgery), from Dr. Francoise Firmin in Paris. He went on to study this further with Dr David Gault at Great Ormond Hospital, London and Dr John Reinisch for Medpor ear reconstruction.
Andrew completed his cleft/craniofacial training with a further year at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne with Dr Tony Holmes and Associate Professor John Meara before being appointed as a craniofacial surgeon at the same hospital.
He has a keen interest in research; he is Supervisor of Advanced Training in Plastic Surgery and Clinical Director of the Batten Foundation 3D Imaging Centre, both at the Royal Children's Hospital. His research interests are currently focused on the innovative use of 3D digital technology for planning of treatment and outcome measurement in craniofacial and cleft surgery.
Andrew's other interests in surgical work are skin cancer, hand surgery, aesthetic breast and facial surgery and a special interest in rhinoplasty. His charity work includes cleft surgery in the Philippines.
“Having the privilege to follow my patients from birth to maturity , getting to know them and their families along the way and making something out of nothing, for example; a child born with no ear and being able to sculpt an ear form and reconstruct an ear, is very rewarding.”