Participation of a plastic surgeon in the meeting of the Consulting Body for oculoplastics

On April 30^th, 2015, in the Ophthalmology Clinic, a meeting of the Consulting Body for oculoplastics was held. For the first time, besides an ophthalmologist and a maxillofacial surgeon, a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery participated in the meeting. The reason for participation of two specialists from the Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the meeting of the Consulting Body is that young physicians obtain information on the method of work of the Consulting Body in order for them to be able to participate individually in its activities.

 This kind of cooperation was established on an interdisciplinary meeting that was held on April 22^nd, 2015 in the University Hospital Clinical Centre Banja Luka. Discussed topics are related to undertaken activities regarding management of diseases in relation to the field of oculoplastic surgery performed in patients whose treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this regard, an initiative for joint cooperation was launched, with the aim of better coordination and management of patients.  Also, a suggestion that a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery participates in regular meetings of Ophthalmology Consulting Body together with ophthalmologists and maxillofacial surgeons was adopted. Meetings of the Consulting Body are held on the last Friday of each month.

During the first joint consultations, fifteen patients were examined. Ten patients required the use of orbital prostheses after orbital exenteration, so they were referred to other health care institutions for further treatment, because the above mentioned procedures are not currently performed in our institutions.

Another five patients were referred to the Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the University Hospital Clinical Centre for further treatment due to the nature of the disease (tumour of the lower eyelid, medial canthus tumour, upper eyelid ptosis). So far, these five patients have been referred to other healthcare institutions in order for them to continue treatments i.e. to undergo surgical procedures.

Participation of specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the meetings of the Consulting Body resulted in reducing the number of patients that used to be referred to other health care institutions and in an increase in the number of surgical procedures.