London Head and Neck Ltd

► Career Progression and Qualifications

More than twenty years specialist experience has given Nick Kalavrezos an unparalleled understanding of the surgical anatomy and pathology of the mouth, face and neck. Since graduating from Zurich University Hospital in Switzerland in 1998, he has focused exclusively on reconstructive surgery of the head, face and neck, head and neck oncology (cancer), and microvascular surgery.

His early training was completed at the Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Department at the University Hospital of Zurich. On graduation (Dr Med) at the University of Zurich, he was appointed Senior Registrar in Maxillofacial Surgery at the same hospital with an emphasis on craniofacial trauma. After a four-year residential programme, he moved to the UK to complete his training, the emphasis there being on head and neck oncology (cancer) and microvascular surgery.

Further experience was gained in several UK centres including Liverpool, Mount Vernon, St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital where he took up the position of Locum Consultant & Senior Registrar in Maxillofacial Surgery.

In 2002 he joined University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and was appointed Consultant and Lead Clinician at The Head & Neck Centre.

His current qualifications are FRCS (OMFS) FFD MD ( GMC: ‍4468996)

► Clinical Interests

Nicholas is interested in the refinement of facial reconstructive surgery and the integration of facial plastic techniques and microsurgery in the reconstructive surgery of the head and neck patient following treatment.
Benign disease of the head and neck, salivary gland neoplasm surgery, thyroid surgery, craniofacial trauma.
Cancer of the head, neck, mouth and tongue.
Head and neck lumps and tumours.
Oral cancer.
Salivary gland disease.
Thyroid cancer and disorders

► Main Focus in Clinical Practice

Early diagnosis of cancer with the use of modern aids such as new optical imaging systems. These improve the accuracy of diagnosis and facilitate the management of potentially malignant mouth lesions with minimal side effects.
Reconstruction following cancer ablation, swallowing rehabilitation, cancer management and post-reconstruction facial improvement techniques
Thyroid, parotid, and benign diseases of the head and neck, microvascular reconstruction, salivary gland neoplasms and facial trauma surgery including skull base surgery.
The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the management of advanced head and neck cancer and functional and aesthetic rehabilitation through reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment.
The overall improvement of patient outcomes through the best possible application of refined surgery.

All of the above are being impacted by developments in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering (Research Page)

► Current Positions Held

Nicholas Kalavrezos is Senior Surgeon in the Head and Neck Centre at University College London Hospital, (UCLH, above).

He is the Chair of the Head and Neck Team at The Harley Street Clinic and the Lead Head and Neck Sarcoma Surgeon for the London Sarcoma Service. He is a founding member of the Centre for Reconstructive Surgery at University College London where he also holds a Senior Lecturer post. He is an Honourary Consultant at Great Ormond Street, The Royal Free and Whittington Hospitals, Clinical Director at London Head and Neck and a member of the Face Transplant Group based at the Royal Free Hospital. He is the European representative for the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Patron of the charity 'Saving Faces', (the facial surgery research charity).

As Secretary General of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, (EACMFS) he has set up links with various centres in Europe to co-ordinate research and to organise international conferences on head and neck cancer and facial reconstruction. He is fluent in several European languages and lectures regularly nationally and internationally. He takes over the EACMFS presidency in 2024

► Surgical Expertise

Ablative and reconstructive surgery of the Head and Neck
Comprehensive early cancer detection procedures for skin and mucosal changes of mouth, face and neck.
Facial plastic surgery in head and neck cancer and post-traumatic disfigurement
Salivary gland surgery, thyroid surgery
Surgical management and reconstructive surgery for cranial and facial trauma
Surgical treatment of advanced head and neck sarcomas (cancer)
Transoral Robotic Surgery to (accessing more difficult-to-see sites, such as the throat, reducing the need for open surgery)
Microvascular reconstructive surgery using free tissue transfer
Dento-alveolar surgery including extraction of teeth
Aesthetic facial surgery, refined and cosmetic surgery.
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Minimally invasive surgical techniques applied to salivary gland disorders and tumours, neoplasms and thyroid disorders.

► Refined Surgery

Refined surgery involves a 'scarless' approach to the surgical management of head and neck lumps and bumps.
Access to the face and neck should be limited to small incisions through facial creases with the use of a 'face lift' approach whenever possible.

Refined surgery also means achieving better results by using secondary minor surgical procedures when appropriate. Typically these can include fat stem cell transfer and scar revision for patients undergoing surgery of the head and neck, whether for cancer treatment or other trauma.

The cosmetic considerations after injury or cancer treatment are extremely important as the patient's physical appearance is critical to their sense of self confidence and therefore the healing process. Cosmetic procedures therefore form an inseparable part of the surgery itself.

► How Big Data Saves Lives

Patients and ex-patients are helping with research.

Click right to see how your efforts are making a difference.

Training for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

OMFS consultants spend much of their early life in training.

The average time is 12 to 14 years. They must first qualify separately in medicine, dentistry and general surgery before they can undertake a further internship to qualify in maxillofacial surgery (head and neck surgery).

After finally graduating in oral and maxillofacial surgery, they usually pursue further fellowship training programs, typically 1 – 2 years in length, in the following areas:

Head and neck cancer – microvascular reconstruction.
Cosmetic facial surgery (facelift, rhinoplasty, etc.).
Craniofacial surgery and pediatric maxillofacial surgery (cleft lip and palate repair, surgery for craniosynostosis, etc.)
Cranio-maxillofacial trauma (soft tissue and skeletal injuries to the face, head and neck).

Nicholas Kalavrezos