Mr Suliman El-Shunnar 2024-04-20 Person 5 5 0

I went to see Mr El-Shunnar as a private patient, having become increasingly anxious about the growth of a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on my left neck behind my ear. This cancer had been partially removed in Warwick NHS hospital 3 months previously by a Registrar. I was put on a 2-week wait for full removal of the SCC. My wife and I requested Mr El-Shunnar perform the SCC removal but I was put on the Plastics team surgeons’ waiting list. My 2-week wait appointment was delayed to pressures on the NHS. Previously, eighteen months ago, I had had expert treatment from Mr El-Shunnar within the NHS : a difficult SCC removal on my scalp and a deep rooted Basal Cell Carcinoma on my nose - both required a skin graft. With increasing anxiety about the growth of the SCC and getting increasing pain from this growth, I booked to see Mr El-Shunnar privately. He was concerned about the SCC being so close to the lymph nodes and salivary gland, and immediately referred me for an MRI of the neck. The radiologist’s report echoed his concern about the lymph nodes being affected. Mr El-Shunnar then took my case to the Warwick Hospital Multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT), and subsequently to the Coventry University Hospital MDT, where the radiologist was more positive about the lymph nodes and did not consider them affected. Mr El-Shunnar communicated with us several times during this process and then recommended an Ultrasound of my neck, as there had been a difference of opinion between the radiologists. The Ultrasound showed that the lymph nodes appeared clear but confirmed that the SCC was deep-rooted. Mr El-Shunnar communicated the risks of the SCC removal operation to me and described the procedure very clearly. Mr El-Shunnar has just performed the operation to remove my SCC and surrounding tissues under a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist provided by him/the hospital, was excellent, especially considering that the operation turned out to be lengthier than anticipated. Mr El-Shunnar came to my hospital room at 10 pm to check that all my facial and neck muscles and nerves were functioning well after the operation. He then came to check on my condition and to inspect the wound the following lunchtime before I was discharged mid-afternoon. A follow-up appointment has been made for him to look at the wound in a week’s time and remove some of the stitches. He will remove the remainder of the stitches 2 weeks after the operation. Throughout this process, I have felt wholly confident in Mr El-Shunnar’s medical expertise and professional competence. He has been courteous throughout, listening to all our concerns and explaining results and procedures very clearly every step of the way. I cannot thank him enough for all he has done for me, and cannot recommend him highly enough.