Chennai Based Craniomaxillofacial Surgeon, Prof. Dr. S. M. Balaji of the Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital is invited by the President of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF), Prof. Dr. Kenneth Salyer, President, World Craniofacial Foundation to organize a Master class at a conference in Russia.
The International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation are to organize its annual International conference at St. Petersburg, Russia in the month of July 2020. The ICPF is a world-renowned body and is a multi-disciplinary humanitarian foundation devoted to cleft lip and palate patients. It was established on October 23 1997, at KYOTO, Japan that has members from medical, surgical, speech pathologists, mental health professionals, patient care bodies, geneticists and patients from nearly 67 countries across the world.
Prof. Balaji was invited by ICPF President Kenneth Salyer to demonstrate the surgical correction of midfacial hypoplasia as a part of their conference. In this course, Prof. Balaji will teach the audience on the correction of midfacial deformities, as a part of syndromes such as Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and Treacher Collins syndrome with or without cleft lip/palate.
Management of skeletal Class III malocclusion in midfacial hypoplasia is one of the most challenging cases. The cause of this disorder is often multifactorial and often syndromic in nature. The appropriate diagnosis of the condition, age of presentation, the extent of deviation from normalcy dictates the treatment outcomes. There are several treatment methods for managing the skeletal Class III malocclusion with midfacial hypoplasia. Of them, conventional Lefort III advancement is often the preferred treatment. It is usually done after skeletal maturity by age after 23 years.
The procedure carries the risk of a proper split during the mandible, proper plating and subsequent plating. Tooth positioning, jaw spaces are other considerations to be accounted for. The chance of relapse is high owing to muscle memory and pull. In comparison, Distraction Osteogenesis can be carried out during the early second decade of life, account for minor maxillary discrepancies, create new bone, manage the growth vectors efficiently in a controlled fashion. Active post-surgical orthodontics may be required for up to 3 months post-operatively using elastics.
Prof. S. M. Balaji has about three decades of experience in managing a variety of skeletal Class III malocclusion using both Lefort III advancement and Distraction Osteogenesis. Armed with his personal cases, he is to demonstrate and teach the delegates to identify types and complications associated with Craniofacial Skeletal Class III Management, brief on the advantages and disadvantages of Lefort III advancement with Distraction Osteogenesis, help to choose between Lefort III advancement with Distraction Osteogenesis. He aims to teach the delegate to develop a personalized diagnostic and treatment algorithms for management.
Prof SM Balaji, an eminent Chennai-based Oral and Craniofacial Surgeon attended the 13th World Cleft Lip and Palate Congress held in Nagoya, Japan. This was held in conjunction with the 59th Congress of the World Teratology Society.
He is amongst the earliest members of the board of the ICPF. As one of the leading Cleft Lip and Palate Surgeons in the world, he was requested by the Board of the ICPF to toast the over 500 delegates from 79 countries who were in attendance at the congress. He delivered it in his usual style, peppered with his trademark humor with an underlying message to serve humanity.
Dr SM Balaji attended the 13th ICPF (International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation) World Congress in Nagoya, Japan. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the ICPF as well as Editor-in-Chief of the ICPF newsletter. The ICPF Board of Trustees comprises of the premier cleft lip and cleft palate surgeons in the world who come together at the yearly world congress to assess the work done in the previous year and to formulate plans for the upcoming year.
The Board of Trustees meeting discussed ways of incorporating various allied fields into the ICPF to address the pressing needs of patients with various birth defects. The meeting was helmed by Dr Nagato Natsume, Secretary-Treasurer, who is also the founder of the ICPF and Prof Kenneth Salyer who is the President of the ICPF. Prof Salyer holds the distinction of having performed the first successful separation of conjoined twins in the world.
Dr SM Balaji is a premier Chennai-based cleft lip and palate surgeon whose surgical innovations have been widely adopted throughout the world by other surgeons. His surgical flap designs have resulted in improved esthetics and function for the patient.
Widening the scope at the 13th Congress of the ICPF at Nagoya
The ICPF was founded in 1997 as a humanitarian, nonprofit organization whose aim was to address the sufferings of patients born with cleft lip and palate deformities. It has exponentially grown over the years and now conducts surgical missions to poor underdeveloped countries around the world for the rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate patients.
This year’s congress was held in conjunction with the 59th Annual meeting of the Japanese Teratology Society at the picturesque city of Nagoya in Japan. This is in lieu with the decision of the Board of Trustees of the ICPF to address a greater number of birth defects that plague humanity. The vision of the ICPF is to completely eliminate the occurrence of cleft lip and palate through genetic studies aimed at identifying the genes responsible for cleft formation.
Participation of the American Society of Teratology at the congress
This year’s congress saw the participation of the American Society of Teratology for the first time at the ICPF congress. It was represented by the President, Dr Elise M Lewis who spoke at length about the increase in the incidence of birth defects around the world. She spoke about the challenges facing the medical field in this regard.
Dr SM Balaji and Dr Elise Lewis held discussions about collaborations between India and the United States of America towards addressing this problem. They agreed that environmental factors were increasingly becoming a factor in the occurrence of birth defects.
Dr SM Balaji’s keynote lecture at the conference
The topic of Dr SM Balaji’s keynote lecture at the conference was the “Management of Orbital Dystopia.” He presented cases from his over 25 years of surgical experience in correcting this deformity. His lecture was followed by a lively Question and Answer session in which he addressed a variety of queries posed by the distinguished audience. Dr SM Balaji received a Certificate of Appreciation from Dr George Sandor at the end of his keynote lecture.
Dr SM Balaji meets Dr Akiro Yamada at the congress
Dr SM Balaji attended the microtia workshop conducted by Dr Akiro Yamada. He held discussions with Dr Yamada regarding the various surgical techniques utilized for ear reconstruction. They discussed about the morphological differences in the human ear found in people around the world. The workshop was a resounding success with contributions from leading microtia surgeons from around the world.
This year’s congress concluded on a positive note with the decision to include a greater number of birth defects under the ICPF umbrella being lauded by all those in attendance. Everybody pledged their commitment towards the ideals of the ICPF of alleviating suffering cause by birth defects and other genetic anomalies.
Dr SM Balaji invited to attend the presentation ceremony of the Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzSOMS)
Dr. SM Balaji was invited to the presentation ceremony of the AzSOMS. This was held at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University in Baku. Prof. Chingiz Rahimov, President, AzSOMS, had extended this invitation to Dr. SM Balaji. This was in recognition of his services and contributions towards craniomaxillofacial surgery.
Dr. SM Balaji with Dr. Chingiz Rahimov at the beginning of his introductory talk about the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF)
Dr SM Balaji introduces the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation to the audience
As the authorized representative of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF), Dr. SM Balaji introduced the ICPF to the audience. He spoke about his passion towards the rehabilitation of children born with cleft lip and palate. Dr. SM Balaji also spoke about his extensive involvement with the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation. He described how the organization has touched the lives of patients with cleft lip and palate through its humanitarian surgical missions to poor nations.
Dr SM Balaji explains the mission statement of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation
Dr SM Balaji seated with the audience after his ICPF presentation at Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzSOMS) presentation ceremony
Dr SM Balaji and Dr Chingiz Rahimov with a Tessier’s cleft patient during a break in the presentation ceremony
Dr. SM Balaji’s keynote speech on the Management of Craniofacial Clefts
Dr. SM Balaji delivered the keynote speech on the topic of the Management of Craniofacial Clefts. He described key cases from his over 30 years of experience performing craniofacial surgeries. His keynote speech documented innovations made by him that led to significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients. The interactive Q&A session at the end of his keynote speech was very lively. Audience members asked him many questions on the management of craniofacial clefts. Prof SM Balaji answered all the questions with a depth that only comes from experience.
Dr SM Balaji urged the residents of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to take up a career in treating craniofacial clefts. He said that the satisfaction of rehabilitating a child afflicted with such severe deformities is second to none.
Dr. SM Balaji with other delegates at the conclusion of the ceremony
Dr. SM Balaji’s meeting with the Rector, His Excellency Dr. Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
Dr SM Balaji then met with the Rector of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli. He spent time with the Rector discussing issues pertaining to craniofacial surgical care. The Rector evinced a deep interest in Dr. SM Balaji’s opinions on the subject. Dr. SM Balaji presented the Rector with a copy of his “Clinical Craniomaxillofacial Surgery” book at the end of the meeting.
Dr SM Balaji during his meeting with the Rector of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
– Dr SM Balaji presenting the Rector, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli with a copy of his Clinical Craniomaxillofacial Surgery book
Dr SM Balaji elucidating the salient points of the textbook to the Rector, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
Dr SM Balaji presenting ways to improve Craniomaxillofacial surgical care in the country
Dr SM Balaji with members of the Executive Council of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti
Prof SM Balaji has been honored with the highest scientific “ Prof David Precious Award ”. This was at the 12th World Cleft and Craniofacial Congress held in Leipzig, Germany. He is the first Indian to receive the honor on such a platform. The award comes with a citation, plaque and a cash award of US $1000.00. Prof Kenneth Salyer, the world-renowned Craniomaxillofacial surgeon, presented him with the award. He is the President of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation. Congress President, Prof Alexander Hemprich was also present. Prof Marie Tolarova, Member, Board of Trustees, ICPF spoke a few words about Dr. S M Balaji‘s achievement. This award is the highest award of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation.
Achievements of International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation
The International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (http://www.icpfweb.org) is a thirty-year-old forum. It is multidisciplinary with members including all stakeholders involved in orofacial cleft rehabilitation. This is a non-profit organization. It promotes service to humanity and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. The ICPF coordinates volunteer surgical missions in underdeveloped and developing countries. It sponsors surgeries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Tunisia and various other developing countries. They teach the local surgeons and cleft teams about cleft rehabilitation. The ICPF has its headquarters in Japan and has over 3000 members from over 60 nations across the world.
Prof David Precious, Cleft Lip and Palate Specialist
One of the founding Presidents of ICPF was Prof David S Precious. Prof David Precious resided, taught and served in Halifax, Canada. He was a notable Cleft surgeon who trained under Prof Delaire. Prof Delaire was the founding father of Craniomaxillofacial and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Precious established a Cleft Surgery unit in Canada. Prof Precious also continued research into Cleft treatment. He had many publications to his credit. In 2015, Prof David Precious passed away after a brief illness. The ICPF decided to instate a Scientific Award in his honor. It was in recognition of his immense scientific contributions to Orofacial Cleft rehabilitation. This is the highest Scientific Award of this noted International Organization.
International Recognition for Prof SM Balaji’s Ground-Breaking Research
Prof SM Balaji conducts research in Protein Guided Tissue Regeneration. He uses this for surgical cleft correction. The award is for these groundbreaking studies. Scientific merit was the basis of selection for this award. The selection panel consisted of world-renowned cleft rehabilitation surgeons. Prof SM Balaji’s pioneering work removed the necessity of a second surgery and more bone grafts. This led to great improvement in the quality of life of the patients. It also avoided a lot of complications associated with synthetic substances.
