Faculty in Amsterdam MAFAC 2024

 Faculty in Amsterdam MAFAC 2024

This is an original article written by Dr. Minhee Ryu from RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul, South Korea, translated in English for convenience: 

The 32nd Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) took place at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands on October 1–2, 2024, bringing together 48 surgeons from over 20 countries for intensive hands-on cadaver dissection and training in Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Necklift techniques. Dr. Minhee Ryu of RNWOOD Plastic Surgery served as a Faculty Member, guiding advanced participants and sharing expertise on facial anatomy and facelift safety, including detailed discussions on the anatomical variation of facial nerves.

MAFAC Amsterdam 2024 emphasized active learning and collaboration, reflecting the course’s tradition of excellence established by Dr. Bryan Mendelson. Dr. Ryu also highlighted the strong global representation from countries such as Türkiye, Italy, and Egypt, underscoring the rapid growth of facelift surgery worldwide. Beyond the course, faculty gatherings celebrated mentorship, with tributes to Dr. Mendelson and Prof. Basel Sharaf for their leadership. 

Dr. Ryu concludes the visit with a reflective tour of the Van Gogh Museum, drawing inspiration from the artist’s resilience and creativity—parallels to the continual pursuit of artistry and precision in aesthetic surgery.

Please enjoy the full article below:

The 32nd Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) was held at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands on October 1–2, 2024. MAFAC offers an opportunity to understand facial anatomy through hands-on cadaver dissection, and to experience the Deep Plane Facelift in practice. There were 48 participants from over 20 countries, and I participated as a faculty member.

Dr. Bryan Mendelson, MAFAC Faculty, and Guest Faculty all gathered together the day before the event for the Pre-Course Faculty Dinner. We exchanged warm greetings and reviewed the program of MAFAC Amsterdam 2024.

This Course included a slight change in the program: 

• Day 1 focused entirely on the Deep Plane Facelift. 

• Day 2 was centered on the Deep Necklift, with an additional demonstration of the Deep Plane Facelift. 

The level of satisfaction among both participants and faculty was high, and such adaptability and flexibility are part of MAFAC’s culture.

At MAFAC, the most highly valued component is the hands-on cadaver dissection. The system and program place great emphasis on allowing participants to experience it firsthand and truly make it their own.

Each group consisted of 4 participants, with 1 cadaver assigned to every 2 people. A total of 12 groups were formed. Participants with the most experience in facelift surgery were placed in Group 1, while beginners were assigned to Group 12.

I was assigned as the dissection tutor for Group 1, and all members were highly skilled. They came from Italy, Türkiye, and Egypt, and the level of their questions was very advanced, leading to highly engaging discussions. We also had interesting conversations about the local situations in Dubai, Istanbul, and other places, and everyone expressed their love for K-Pop and K-Dramas from Korea.

This time, 11 participants from Türkiye attended, and 2 of them were in the group I was assigned to. Istanbul is one of the most active cities in the plastic surgery market. Naturally, facelift surgery, which is considered the pinnacle of aesthetic procedures, is performed frequently there, and due to the high number of cases, the pace of advancement seemed quite fast.

Among them, a few had read my paper in advance on the anatomical variation of the facial nerve and asked for a more detailed explanation. Using pre-dissected structures, I explained the typical locations and pathways of the nerves and also discussed precautions during surgery. The oculi branches of the zygomatic nerve show significant variation and are difficult to predict. For safety, in-depth anatomical knowledge is essential. I was happy to be able to share knowledge and experience.

On the last day, there was a Faculty Dinner. There is a ceremony where new and invited faculty and contributors receive a book signed by Dr. Mendelson, which is one of the traditions of the MAFAC Faculty Dinner. Warm congratulations to Jamir, Omar, Jose, Caroline, and Cintia — I look forward to seeing them more often in the future.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Andrea, the new MAFAC Manager. As a dedicated photographer and part of the MAFAC Press, she has made a significant contribution to documenting the history of MAFAC. I believe she will become a reliable central figure in the future.

My mentor, Dr. Bryan Mendelson. He is endlessly kind and generous, yet at times strictly guides me on the right path. He is the most challenging, yet the person I most aspire to emulate. I thank God for the opportunity to be close and work alongside him.

My precious friend and MAFAC Course Director, Prof. Basel Sharaf. I admire his meticulous organizing and outstanding leadership, and express my deep gratitude for his dedication and contribution to MAFAC.

Van Gogh Museum

I took a moment to visit the Van Gogh Museum. The exterior immediately caught my attention.

The story of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo was the most impressive, leaving a lasting impression.

This is a work he painted when his younger brother’s son was born, and that nephew later established the Van Gogh Museum.

ALMOND BLOSSOM at the Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh created this work especially for his new-born nephew Vincent. His brother Theo wrote to him: 'As we told you, we'll name him after you, and I'm making the wish that he may be as determined and as courageous as you.' Van Gogh immediately started working on this painting of almond blossom against a blue sky. He was completely absorbed by it for days on end, He wrote to Theo: 'the last canvas of the branches in blossom, you'll see that it was perhaps the most patiently worked, best thing I had done, painted with calm and a greater sureness of touch.' Almond Blossom became one of the most treasured possessions of Theo, his wife Jo and their son Vincent, who would later found the museum.  

Van Gogh could not have given a more appropriate gift; just as the delicate buds announce spring, the birth of a child brings hope and the promise of new life. Perhaps this was the reason why flowering trees were one of his favourite subjects. He loved nature and wanted to express the peace and solace he found in it in his work.  

Take some time to look at the picture. What feelings does it evoke in you? And what do you think causes them: the use of color, the subject, or something else?  

Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890), Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, February 1890

Additionally, self-portraits were exhibited in a series.

 He often painted self-portraits because he could not afford to hire models.

Self-Portraits in Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam 

'Find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful.'

by Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890)

If I were to recommend a must-visit place in Amsterdam, it would be the Van Gogh Museum. The MAFAC in Amsterdam 2025 is scheduled for November 2025, and I look forward to seeing you all again then.

Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.

RNWOOD Plastic Surgery

Seoul, South Korea

(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster/223586011213 )

Dr. Minhee Ryu is a World-Class FACELIFT Specialist and Global Educator, who is deeply committed to sharing his facial rejuvenation surgery and anatomy expertise. As a lecturer, tutor, and demonstrator, he is invited to deliver DEEP PLANE FACELIFT presentations and perform live surgery and cadaver dissection Demonstrations in more than 15 countries, including Korea, the US, Europe, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and beyond.

Recognized worldwide for his expertise in DEEP PLANE FACELIFT, Dr. Ryu is a Faculty Member at MAFAC since 2016, a guest Faculty Member at Mayo Clinic since 2023, and an Editorial Board Member for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal (SCI) since 2019. He is an active member of KSPRS, ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS. As a global top-tier leader in Facelifts, Dr. Minhee Ryu makes dedicated contributions to academic advancement and surgical education.

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