In March 2023, the first mission to Ukraine, led by Mission Director Dr. Anthony E. Brissett, took place at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital with a team of 13 surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses from Canada and the United States. This mission occurred a year after Face the Future Foundation announced it was suspending its missions to Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The mission to Ukraine was one of the most challenging ever as the patients – mainly soldiers and some civilians – had severe head and neck war injuries requiring exceptional surgical skill and Patient Specific Implants, frequently made of Titanium, to aid in the reconstruction of boney facial defects. Face the Future was supported in this mission by RAZOM of New York, Materialise of Belgium and Dr. Nataliya Komashko, Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon at Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital.
A fifth mission to Ukraine is planned for April 2025.
Prior to the first mission, 100 patients were assessed with 45 patients being selected. Once in Ukraine, 31 patients were chosen for surgery with the surgical and medical team performing 112 procedures, an average of 4 procedures per patient. This amounted to 96 hours of operating room time. In addition to providing surgical services, Face the Future held two symposiums while in Ukraine. The International Symposium of Head and Neck War Injuries was attended by 130 Ukrainian surgeons and included 17 presentations by 6 of our surgeons and a Ukrainian surgeon over a full day. The second symposium – Nursing Academic Day – was attended by 70 nurses and included 9 presentations and moderated panel by the Foundation’s 4 nurses. More than 300 nurses had to be turned away due to lack of space for the forum. Subsequently, there have been two similar missions every year with teams of 15 to 20 surgical and medical volunteers.
Number of Procedures/Operations:
31 patients / 112 procedures or approximately 4 per patient.
Number of Patients Consulted:
100 patients prior to the Mission
Size of Mission:
A team of 13 to 20 consisting of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, oculoplastic surgeon, operating room nurses, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, nurse educators.
Conditions Treated:
Mandibular, maxillary, periorbital and cranial boney reconstruction, utilizing surgical plates and screws as well as Patient Specific Implants. Frontal sinus reconstruction for cranial trauma. Endoscopic sinus reconstruction as well as complex nasal reconstruction with cartilage grafting and soft tissue flaps. Facial nerve paralysis reconstruction. Complex scar revision. Complex soft tissue orbital reconstruction utilizing local flaps and grafts. Multiple regional and local facial reconstructions. Dermal fat grafting and free fat transfer.