Prof Chris Butterworth BDS(Hons), MPhil, FDSRCS, FDS (Rest) RCS (Eng).
Honorary Professor of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics School of Dentistry
- Work email C.Butterworth@liverpool.ac.uk
- Personal WebsiteProfessional Website
- ORCID0000-0002-5025-7467
Research
Research Overview
Professor Butterworth's research is largely confined to the maxillofacial prosthodontic treatment of complex Head & Neck Cancer patients. He undertakes clinical outcome studies mainly in relationship to the use of Zygomatic Implants in this field and is an international leader in this treatment modality. He is interested in the rapid post-surgical restoration of the H&N cancer patient and is a key innovator in the combined use of zygomatic implants together with micro-vascular reconstructive techniques to maximise benefit for patients. He also contributes to research into Osteoradionecrosis and is a key recruiter of patients to clinical trials within the Head & Neck Centre.
Zygomatic Implant treatment in complex patient cohorts
The use of zygomatic implants to effect oral & facial rehabilitation in patient cohorts such as Head & Neck Cancer, Cleft Lip & Palate and severe maxillofacial trauma. Prof Butterworth is a recognised International leader in the oral & facial rehabilitation of the head & neck cancer patient and is the inventor of the ZIP FLAP Reconstructive technique.
Osteoradionecrosis
He is a key member of the team behind the HOPON trial - a study into the use of hyperbaric oxygen in the prevention of osteoradionecrosis. This CRUK funded clinical trial is a multi-centre trial looked at the role of HBO as a preventive regimen for patients undergoing surgery to the irradiated mandible and found that HBO didnt provide any additional benefit in terms of preventing ORN which only occured in 7% of the patients undergoing extractions in the irradiated mandible.
He is member of the RAPTOR study team - this trial will examine the use of medical management of patients with established ORN and is due to start later in 2021.
Research Grants
BAHNO Grant for research into the views of primary care dentists on treating patients irradiated for head and neck cancer.
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF HEAD AND NECK ONCOLOGISTS (BAHNO) (UK)
October 2008 - March 2010
Hyperbaric Oxygen to Prevent Osteoradionecrosis of the Irradiated Mandible (HOPON)
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
May 2008 - April 2011
Research Collaborations
Richard Shaw
Internal
Chris is collaborating with Richard Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Head & Neck Surgery in the development of the HOPON trial (Hyperbaric Oxygen for the Prevention of Osteoradionecrosis). This trial is in it's pilot phase and is funded by Cancer Research UK.