Christopher Avery MChir FRCS FDSRCS FRCS (OMFS)

Contact Details

 
Correspondence Address: 

Maxillofacial Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE15WW.

Email: chris.avery@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Tel: 0116 258 6953

Education

1984:   BDS University of Bristol.
1988:   FDSRCS [Oral Surgery].Royal College Surgeons of England.
1992:   MB BChir. University of Cambridge.
1994:   FRCS. Royal College of Surgeons of England.  
1999:   FRCS [Maxillofacial]. Intercollegiate Surgical Board.
2006:   MChir. University of Cambridge. 

Position

I have been a full-time Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust since 2000 and am currently also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Cancer Studies & Molecular Medicine.

Research Interests

The main clinical research interests are all related to the management of head and neck malignancy, particularly oral cancer and reconstructive surgery. My Thesis reviewed the significant incidence of donor site morbidity associated with the conventional fasciocutaneous and osteocutaneous versions of the radial forearm flap. The work includes one of the first detailed descriptions of the suprafascial dissection technique and anatomy of the septocutaneous flap, and the introduction of the technique of prophylactic internal fixation of the radial osteocutaneous donor site to substantially reduce the incidence of fracture. A biomechanical model was developed to investigate the strengthening effects of different types of bone plates. Wound management and surgical techniques were developed to further minimise morbidity by improving the success rate of skin grafting at the radial forearm donor site.  
Other areas of interest include novel surgical techniques, gastrostomy feeding, salivary gland surgery and related topics.

Biomechanical studies are in co-operation with the Professor Jingzhe Pan, Head of Mechanics in Materials at the University of Leicester. Professor Pan has expertise in biomechanics and the modelling of biomaterials for orthopaedic fixation and tissue engineering, bioresorbable materials and finite element modelling. The most recent laboratory based research has investigated the biomechanical aspects of different types of plate reconstruction options for the radial flap osteocutaneous donor site using a sheep tibia model. The development of a finite element analysis model may allow us to replicate laboratory testing and a human radius study is also planned. These principles are also applicable to other aspects of reconstruction of the maxillofacial skeleton. Future research will include bioresorbable materials.
  
In the field of oncology genetic research the current projects include the role of EMT proteins in oral malignancy in conjunction with Dr Eugene Tulchinsky, Head of EMT research at Leicester University and with Professor Ian Mackenzie at the Blizard Institute, London who also has an interest in Stem Cells and EMT. This work investigates the role of ZEB1 and ZEB2 (SIP 1) in the epithelial mesenchymal transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma. There is potential for further projects involving chemopreventative agents and stem cell research in collaboration with Professor Will Steward.

There is a very strong personal commitment to supporting trainee surgeons who want to present work at the Maxillofacial Annual Scientific Meeting and other International meetings. Leicester has consistently featured within the top 5 units for the number of presentations at the British meeting over the last decade and in a recent paper was placed joint second for the rate of successful conversion to publication. 

There are two maxillofacial clinical research fellows and these positions have been used by trainees to further their research interests often before taking a substantive higher surgical training post. We welcome collaboration with other clinical or research based departments.