Anthony MacQuillan
MBBS, MD, FRCS(Plast)
Expertise and experience
Anthony is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon specialising in aesthetic surgery.
He has over 25 years’ expertise providing reconstructive services internationally and is now based in South West UK with clinics in Bath, Bristol and London.
Harnessing the latest technology, Anthony uses the Canfield Vectra H1 3D-imaging system to help patients with pre-operative planning.
He is nationally recognised for his facial and breast fat-grafting techniques and his experience in face rejuvenation (both advanced mini facelifts and full face and neck lifts) under sedation and local anaesthetic.
A plastic surgeon with a background in nerve surgery
Anthony has a specialist reconstructive background with an ongoing interest in peripheral nerve injury on an honorary basis in London.
The nerve injury side of Anthony’s practice is generally related to trauma patients who have had a major injury and unplugged nerves from their neck or spinal cord. Surgery aims to rebuild function in the arm, reconfiguring the nerves.
Anthony’s role in the Peripheral Nerve Unit in London has really aided his aesthetic work in a number of areas. To perform peripheral nerve surgery you need to have meticulous tissue handling, strong microsurgery capabilities and a very steady hand. Similarly, when you’re handling fine tissues in the face or around the breast or the abdomen, you have to handle the tissue delicately. It’s important not to bruise or crush a nerve; they need to be treated so gently. Proper handling results in good healing for the patient.
More about Anthony
Anthony undertook a period of formal research, culminating in a doctoral thesis, at the RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery that examined the subject of functional muscle transplantation. The work was examined by the University of London (University College) and his Doctorate awarded in 2007.
He looked into how the number of nerve fibres used to power a muscle transplant changed the outcome of power developed within the transplanted muscle and undertook over 72 successful free functional muscle transplants in the face and limbs and examined the outcomes.
The work has direct relevance to the management of facial palsy and limb reconstruction in the setting of major nerve injury (such as brachial plexus damage) or after tumour resection (sarcoma excision). The publications resultant from this work have been quoted by other eminent surgeons in the field.
During his training, Anthony undertook additional aesthetic and reconstructive fellowships both in London and Paris. In London, these included working with many of the top consultant plastic surgeons at the famous Mount Vernon Plastic Surgery Unit (one of the cradles of Plastic Surgery in the UK, now relocated to the Royal Free Hospital) and completing the prestigious Wellington Hospital Aesthetic Fellowship.
In Paris, he undertook a fellowship with Christophe Oberlin, credited with starting the modern revolution in nerve transfer surgery after publishing the results of his eponymous procedures. This work was supported by a scholarship from the French Society for Surgery of the Hand and by the HCA foundation (in the form of an HCA travelling fellowship).
Anthony uses the skills, tips and tricks learned during this period every day, in both his aesthetic and reconstructive practices, and he is very grateful to all those who shared their knowledge and time with him.
Anthony doesn’t get as much free time as he used to! He is married and has three children, with family life taking priority in the time that he is not working. When he is able, he runs to stay fit (and has competed in the Marathon des Sables), though he also loves to surf (having previously spent quite a lot of time in Australia, South Africa and the Gower Peninsula in Wales).
Publications
Quick TJ, Macquillan A, Sinisi M, Fox M, Birch R . The examination and management of nerve injury in supracondylar fractures of the humerus. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2013 Jul;22(4):397-8
Miss K Young, Dr A Greenwood, Mr A MacQuillan, Mr S Lee, Mr S Wilson. Paediatric hand fractures. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2013 (e-pub ahead of print, accepted for publication)
Durand S, MacQuillan A, Delpit X. Isolated scaphoid fracture with anterosuperior dislocation of the proximal fragment. Chir Main. 2011 Sept;30(4):298-301
Durand S, Gaujoux G, MacQuillan A. Triggering of the lateral slip of the extensor mechanism on a Bouchard’s node. J Hand Surg (Eur). 2011 May;36(4):340-341
Ghali S, MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. Reanimation of the middle and lower face in facial paralysis: Review of the literature and personal approach. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2011 Apr;64(4):423-31
Alexander K, Lawton G, MacQuillan A. A pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for early reconstruction of cervicocranial necrotising fasciitis. Indian J Plast Surg. 2010 Jul;43(2):224-5
MacQuillan A, Urso Baiarda F, Grobbelaar A. The incidence of anterior belly of digastric muscle agenesis in patients with hemifacial microsomia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2010 Oct;126(4):1285-1290, October 2010.
Durand S, Oberlin C, Macquillan A. FDP to FDP hemi-tendon transfer – a new technique for delayed repair of the flexor digitorum profundus in zones I and II of the finger. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2010 Oct;35(8):677-8.
MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A, Urso Baiarda F. A Theory Explaining the Development of Late Onset Tightening or Contracture in Patients who have Undergone Facial Reanimation Surgery with Free Functional Muscle Transfers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 124(5):254e-255e, November 2009
Oberlin C, Korchi A, Belkheyar Z, Touam C, MacQuillan A. Digitalisation of the second finger in type II central longitudinal deficiencies (clefting) of the hand. Tech Hand Upper Limb Surg. 2009 Jun;13(2):110-2
MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. Functional muscle transfer and variance of reinnervating axonal load part I – the facial nerve. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2008 Vol 121 1570 – 1577
MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. Functional muscle transfer and variance of reinnervating axonal load part II – the peripheral nerves. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2008 Vol. 121 1708 – 1715
Urso Baiarda F, MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. Quantitative assessment of tissue sections by Reverse Colour Coding. J Neurosci Methods. 2008 Feb 15;168(1):256-64
Urso Baiarda F, MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. The Bottleneck Theory: Accounting for Clinical and Experimental Variability in the Outcome of Functional Muscle Transfer. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2007 Vol. 119 1129-1131
MacQuillan A, Horlock N, Grobbelaar A, Harrison D. Arterial and Venous Anatomical Features of the Pectoralis Minor Muscle Flap Pedicle. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2004 Vol.113 872-876
MacQuillan A, Hamilton S, Grobbelaar A. Angiosomes, Clefts and Eyelashes. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2004 Vol.113 1400-1403
MacQuillan A, Vesley M, Harrison D, Grobbelaar A. Reanimation Options in Patients with Hemifacial Microsomia and Marginal Mandibular Nerve Palsy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2003 Vol 112 1962-1963
MacQuillan A, Grobbelaar A. Neurovascular Anatomy of the Rectus Femoris Flap in the Rabbit. Microsurgery. 2003 Vol.23 395-401
MacQuillan A, Wilson-Jones N, Grobbelaar A. The MD – Medical doctorate or mandatory doctorate?. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2003 Vol.56 759-763
Josty I, MacQuillan A, Murison M. Functional Outcomes Following Surgical Repair of Major Wrist Extensor Tendons. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2003 Vol.56 120-124
MacQuillan A, Jones M, Gault D. Taking a leech to blood: but can you make him drink?. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2002. Vol.55 540-541
MacQuillan A, Josty I, Murison M. Deepitheialised Double-Breasted Flap with Synovectomy of the Elbow: New Technique for the Management of Refractory Olecranon Bursistis. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2002. Vol. 48 451-452
Presentations at national and international scientific meetings
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. British Association of Plastic Surgeons Winter Scientific Meeting, London December 2005. “Improving Outcomes in Peripheral Limb Reconstruction.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. British Association of Plastic Surgeons Winter Scientific Meeting, London December 2005. “Optimising Outcomes in Functional Muscle Transfer.”
Ursa Biarda F, Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. 10th International Facial Nerve Symposium, Maastricht September 2005. “Absent Bellies and Asymmetrical Facies.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. 10th International Facial Nerve Symposium, Maastricht September 2005. “Optimising Outcomes in Functional Muscle Transfer; Part II.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. 10th International Facial Nerve Symposium, Maastricht September 2005. “Optimising Outcomes in Functional Muscle Transfer; Part I.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. European Association of Plastic Surgeons, Marseilles May 2005. “The Influence of Axonal Load on Functional Muscle Transfer in the Peripheral Limb Reconstruction Setting.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. European Association of Plastic Surgeons, Genoa May 2004. “The Optimisation of Functional Muscle Transfer.”
Macquillan A, Grobbelaar A. European Congress of Scientists and Plastic Surgeons, Geneva Sept. 2003. “The Optimisation of Functional Muscle Transfer.”
Macquillan A, Josty I, Murison M. British Association of Plastic Surgeons Winter Scientific Meeting, London Nov. 2001. “The Long Term Functional Outcome Results Following Major Wrist Extensor Tendon Injury.”
Lectures
Pathologies of the Brachial Plexus and their management. MacQuillan A. The Royal Society of Medicine. April 2014.
Brachial Plexus Injuries – Treatment and Reconstruction. MacQuillan A. University College London MSC Course in Surgical Sciences. November 2013.
Entrapment and Compression Neuropathies. MacQuillan A. British Peripheral Nerve Society. October 2013
Brachial Plexus Injuries – Treatment and Reconstruction. MacQuillan A. University College London MSC Course in Surgical Sciences. February 2013.
Brachial Plexus Injuries Current Concepts of Treatment. MacQuillan A. Combined Services Plastic Surgery Society. October 2012.
Lower limb nerve injury and reconstruction. MacQuillan A. AO Current Concepts Consultant Update Course. Coventry University. March 2012
Brachial Plexus Reconstruction – The Principles. MacQuillan A. BAPRAS Advanced Instructional Course on Limb Reconstruction. Manchester, October 2011
Hand Anatomy relevant to injury. MacQuillan A. Bristol Hand Trauma Assessment Course. September 2011 (Course Organiser)
Surgical Management of Facial Paralysis. MacQuillan A. Annual SouthWest Occuloplastics Meeting. January 2011
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