Both Dr. John Vandervord and Dr. Jack Zoumaras are fully qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons with over 20 year combined experience in the surgical management of Microtia.
They consult and operate on patients affected by Microtia as a team with the Microtia clinic at Children’s Hospital of Westmead. The team approach to Microtia ensures the patient has a two-surgeon team to their surgery with a blend of experience and current ideas on ear reconstruction, which we believe is unique in Australia.
Dr. John Vandervord has 20 years experience with the management of Microtia. He has been reconstructing ears in Sydney for the last 15-20 years.
Dr. John Vandervord has trained with world leader and pioneer Dr. Francoise Firmin and regularly visits her practice in Paris yearly to stay up to date with the latest refinements and techniques. Dr. John Vandervord knows how important the appearance of the ear is to one's quality of life and recognises the potential of this procedure to not only improve the aesthetic appearance of the ear but also enhance one's self image and confidence.
Dr. Jack Zoumaras is a fully qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who has completed a fellowship with pioneer and world leader in ear reconstruction Dr. Francoise Firmin in Paris. Dr. Jack Zoumaras spent 7 months working in Paris first as a visiting fellow then as a formal fellow learning the Firmin technique of ear reconstruction from Dr. Firmin.
Together Dr. John Vandervord and Jack Zoumaras offer a blend of experience and cutting edge knowledge of the surgical treatment of Microtia. Both are associate members of the International Society of Auricular Reconstruction. Dr. Vandervord and Zoumaras are also involved in the training and demonstration of the ear reconstruction technique in Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
The Microtia clinic at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead meets on a monthly basis to assess new and existing patients in hearing and link them in with ear reconstruction.
The clinic team consists of the following disciplines:
Paeditrician
Social Worker
Patient Educator
Audiologist
ENT Surgeon
Plastic Surgeon
Involved in the administrative running of the clinic.
Specializes in the diagnosis and management of child related illnesses and co-ordinates the functioning of the clinic between different medical specialties and the greater community.
Involved in the diagnosis and surgical management of the hearing loss and associated conditions of the ear, nose and throat.
Objectively assess the child’s hearing before and after treatment.
Educates child, parents and others about Microtia and deafness.
Involved in the reconstruction of the external ear.
Involved in the genetic work up of Microtia when a genetic cause is suspected and future family planning is contemplated.