RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Microsurgery is a highly specialized skill that requires advanced training. This is a recount of the 12-year development of Hanoi National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology (NHOS) from a basic plastic surgery unit to a high-volume, subspecialized reconstructive center. METHODS: We present a 12-year retrospective account of the development of NHOS with a brief summary of microsurgical reconstructive outcomes. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2020, NHOS has performed 665 microsurgical flaps for reconstruction of various maxillomandibular defects. In the pioneering stage (2008-2011), without surgical microscopes, all five free flaps failed. After acquiring a microscope and mentoring from Hanoi's 108 Military Hospital, mandibular bone defect reconstruction with free fibula flaps had 85% success rate. In the growth stage (2012-2015), reconstruction advanced toward more complex defects requiring soft tissue, with a 98.7% success rate. The maturation stage (2016-2020) focused on refinement of reconstructive service to provide subspecialized care for malignant head and neck cancer patients with help from Taiwan's E-Da Hospital and Operation Smile's charity program. The charity mission trips were structured to facilitate good quality teaching rather than hit a quantitative goal of the number of surgeries done. And with a success rate of 99.4%, we have begun further education of the plastic surgery community in Vietnam. CONCLUSIONS: Our rapid 12-year maturation into a high-volume, subspecialized microsurgical center is the embodiment of the generous efforts of many international friends who invested their time and expertise. And we highly recommend charity mission trips to adopt the "training the trainers" concept to maximize lasting, local impact.