Pathology Conditions
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have extensive exposure to various head and neck diseases.
Their training not only involves the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, but also the reconstruction following the necessary treatment. Drs. Thoman and Kofford have received unique training in the area of head and neck pathology. Their training and experience encompass the treatment of diseases that are commonly seen by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In addition, Dr. Thoman and Dr. Kofford have received extensive training with board-certified Otolaryngologists. This unique exposure to these two disciplines involved in the treatment of head and neck pathology allow the doctors to confidently treat simple to complex diseases while maximizing the patient’s function and facial appearance.
BMP - Bone Morphogenic Protein
We as surgeons are always looking at ways of rebuilding missing architecture while minimizing the discomfort and morbidity for the patient. One of the newer technologies available in that quest is the use of rhBMP or recombinant human Bone Morphogenic Protein. Bone Morphogenic Protein is a key natural protein embedded in the bone that directs the body’s process in repairing damaged or broken bones. When this protein becomes exposed through a fracture of the bone or surgical removal of the bone, it strongly stimulates the bone repair process.
We have been able to isolate and now reproduce this protein and use it to grow new bone in applications that before required us to use large volumes of bone harvested from the patient’s hip bone or other sites. This transfers the process of rebuilding large bony defects from the hospital setting to the office setting. This saves the patient both discomfort and costs. The size of the defect’s reconstruction is not limited by the patient’s bone available for the reconstruction. There is an unlimited amount of BMP available to reconstruct a defect.
Facial Trauma
Drs. Thoman and Kofford have had extensive expertise in the treatment of head and neck trauma. Their experience began during residency where they trained at the Emanual Legacy Hospital in Portland Oregon and University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville Kentucky respectively. Both Emanual and University hospital have consistently been rated some of the top level I trauma centers in the United States.
While at Emanuel Hospital, Dr. Thoman was responsible for all head and neck trauma that entered the hospital. He was then heavily involved with treatment of facial trauma at the Queens Medical Center and Kaiser Hospitals in Honolulu Hawaii. He was instrumental in helping to establish the multi-specialty facial trauma team at the Queens Medical Center.
