drg. Andri Hardianto, Sp.BM, MD, PhD., “We Are Capable of Conducting Reconstructive Surgery Through Microvascular Technique”

[Unpad.ac.id, 16/01/2012] It hasn’t been revealed much to the public that Indonesia has oncologists that could compete with those of other Asian countries. One of them is a lecturer at Unpad Faculty of Dentistry, Andri Hardianto, Sp.BM, MD, Ph. D. he is an expert at Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction surgery with Microvascular technique from Indonesia. His competence is even recognized in some countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Thailand.

drg. Andri Hardianto, Sp.BM, MD, PhD (Foto: Lydia OA)*

“Reconstructive surgery with microvascular technique has yet to be widely known in Indonesia. Especially in terms of oral surgery, we have just started,” said drg. Andri, when interviewed in his office in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin, Jln. Pasteur No. 38 Bandung, on Friday (12/30).

Main health issue that surgeons often encounter is the large size of the tumor to be removed. This technique enables the surgeons to completely remove the tumor and initiate complete reconstruction. Reconstructive surgery with microvascular technique is conducted through a transfer from free flap or a completely removed bone from the body to the area that requires reconstruction.

“This technique is still being developed and surgeons are training to better their skills. Large tumors are no longer an issue. In fact, we can make complete reconstruction by making use of tissues in our own body,” he explained.

Among the dozens of types of cancer that he has cured, drg. Andri revealed that carcinoma is the type of cancer with the greatest prevalence. This disease can appear on the tongue, mouth, cheeks, mouth mucosa, gums, lips, cheeks, or nose. According to drg. Andri, who was born in Jakarta on October 23, 1973, various aspects may trigger Carcinoma, including the gene, betel, tobacco, and alcohol.

Many have yet to know that Indonesia has already had oncologists with reputable competence, particularly in terms of oral and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. It is quite unfortunate that many patients who are financially well off prefer obtaining treatment abroad for optimum service.

Andri hopes that patients, of oral cancer in particular, would finally be able to find the correct hospital to treat health problems that they have. He is concerned with people’s ignorance delaying the treatment process on the patients.

Nevertheless, Andri admitted that reconstructive surgery with microvascular technique has yet to be thoroughly developed in Indonesia, moreover in Asia. Tumor treatment management in Indonesia is still insufficient, especially with regards to reconstruction. In Asia, this technique is only developed in Japan, India, and China. Despite this, there has been a rapid growth of competence in recent years in this field. He also said that Unpad’s oral surgery center is more advanced than other centers, not only in Indonesia, but in Southeast Asia.

“I’m constantly developing [this technique] under the supervision of Unpad FKG. This needs improvement, gradual progress, so that survival rate rises and the quality of life of the patients improves,” said Andri.

Drg. Andri graduated from the Advanced Training Course/Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2002. He took his Doctoral degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2002-2007) at the same institution in Shanghai, China. In 2008 he attended Adaptation Program for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the Unpad Faculty of Dentistry (2008-2010).

“Fortunately I studied at the center for tumor surgery. It was an international training center where surgeons from all over the world study, many coming from Europe and America. I studied there for eight years, “said drg. Andri.

Due to his expertise, drg. Andri has given a numerous lectures in many events, both in Indonesia and abroad, to name but a few were Main Lecture & Practical Surgery in “Intensive Training Microsurgery Course in Head & Neck Region” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2011, 2009, 2007), a Keynote Lecture and Instructor at International Intensive Microsurgery Training Course: Head and Neck Region in Hatyai Thailand (2007), an oral presentation in 12th International Congress on oral Cancer in conjunction with 24th Annual Meeting of ICFMS in Shanghai (2008), a keynote speaker at Banjarmasin Dentistry IV “Esthetic and oral Surgery Update” in South Kalimantan (2011) , the main speaker at the National Congress of the Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – XI and Scientific Seminar in Batam (2011) and many more. *

Laporan oleh: Artanti Hendriyana | | | eh*