Sir Harold Gillies, born in New Zealand, is widely considered a British icon and the father of modern plastic surgery.

This article provides an overview of his life and the circumstances which led to him laying the foundations of plastic surgery in Britain in the early twentieth century.

A hand search and review of case notes from the Gillies Archives at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, UK, where he made history, was conducted.

Gillies' ongoing legacy was found to also include his influence on the development of his cousin Sir Archibald McIndoe's work. Gillies was a talented sportsman who engaged in charitable activities. Additionally, he was a gifted teacher, with his hospital attracting many young surgeons from around the world. He was found to have expressed genius in both the design and execution of the art and science of surgery. He incepted reconstructive techniques ranging from the world's first gender reassignment operation to facial reanimation procedures for the treatment of facial paralysis. His operative work on ex-servicemen in need of complex rhinoplasty and in particular the inception of the tubed pedicle flap are depicted.

The 5S model proposes five hierarchical levels (systems, summaries, synopses, syntheses and studies) of pre-appraised evidence to guide evidence-based practice. This review aimed to identify and summarise pre-appraised evidence at the highest available 5S level for the management of different subsets of otitis media: acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma in both adults and children.

Data sources were pre-appraised evidence resources. Evidence freely available from sources at the highest available level of the 5S model were summarised for this review.

System level evidence exists for acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. Summary level evidence exists for recurrent acute otitis media and medical management of chronic suppurative otitis media. There is an absence of randomised controlled trials to prove the efficacy of surgical management of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma.

Until randomised controlled trial data are generated, consensus publications on the surgical management of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma should be used to guide best practice.

To present the clinical outcomes obtained by the first facial transplant teams worldwide, reviewing current practice and addressing controversies.

A bibliographic search of Medline and Embase databases was performed, and a comparative analysis of all articles published from 1980 to the present was conducted. Two independent investigators screened the manuscripts in accordance with pre-defined criteria.

A total of 12 partial and 5 full facial transplants were recorded in the literature. Procedures included partial and near-total facial myocutaneous flaps, and complex osteomyocutaneous grafts. Fifteen patients had fully vascularised grafts, and two patients died of transplant-related and infectious complications.

Facial transplantation can restore quality of life and enable the social re-integration of recipients. Results published by the first facial transplant teams are promising. However, long-term reports of aesthetic and functional outcomes are needed to more precisely define outcomes. In addition, significant technical, medical and ethical issues remain to be solved.

The management of Bell's palsy has been the subject of much debate, with corticosteroids being the preferred medication. However, evidence also supports the use of antiviral drugs for severe cases and even decompression surgery in patients who, despite medical treatment, are not recovering.

A literature review was conducted on the management of Bell's palsy.

This paper describes the background, statistical evidence, study results and pathophysiological theories that support more aggressive treatment for patients with severe palsy and those who have inadequate recovery.

Combination therapy including antiviral medication significantly improves outcomes in patients with severe Bell's palsy. Decompression should be considered in patients who have not recovered with drug treatment.

Since their introduction in 1977, the technology and surgical techniques surrounding the use and application of bone-anchored hearing devices have developed considerably.

This article reviews current developments in the use of bone-anchored hearing devices, looking at the possible options for patients, complications encountered and future possibilities.

Advances in surgical technique are described, with the move towards the use of linear incisions and no soft tissue reduction. Methods for preventing complications are analysed, with review of different abutments and the introduction of the active bone conduction implant.