Dr Philip Michael — ENT, Rhinology and Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Dr Philip Michael is a Melbourne ENT surgeon with a particular clinical interest in rhinology and facial plastic surgery. His practice includes cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, revision and reconstructive rhinoplasty, together with the assessment and treatment of nasal obstruction and sinus disease.

He completed his specialist training in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in the United Kingdom and holds specialist surgical fellowships from both the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd ORL-HNS) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

His approach to rhinoplasty combines assessment of nasal appearance and facial proportions with consideration of the septum, nasal airway, nasal valves and structural support. Cosmetic and functional concerns are therefore considered together where appropriate rather than treating the external appearance of the nose in isolation.

Advanced training in rhinology and rhinoplasty

Following completion of specialist ENT training in the United Kingdom, Dr Michael pursued further advanced training in rhinology, nasal surgery and rhinoplasty in Australia and Europe.

He completed a formal Rhinology Fellowship at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. His subsequent international training with Professor Daniel Simmen in Switzerland, in endoscopic sinus surgery and rhinoplasty surgery, and Professor Wolfgang Draf in Germany, with training in advanced endoscopic sinus surgery.

His rhinoplasty development has also included experience with Julian Rowe-Jones and Professor Charles East (President of the European Rhinoplasty Society) in London. Dr Michael first worked within Mr East's unit during his early ENT training at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and has subsequently returned for further development of his rhinoplasty techniques.

Rhinoplasty and rhinology

Rhinoplasty sits at the intersection of nasal appearance, structure and function. Dr Michael's background in rhinology influences the way he assesses patients considering rhinoplasty, particularly where cosmetic concerns coexist with septal deviation, nasal obstruction, previous trauma or previous nasal surgery.

His rhinoplasty practice includes primary cosmetic rhinoplasty, functional septorhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction. Surgical planning is individualised and may involve structural or preservation techniques, open or closed approaches, ultrasonic piezoelectric instruments for selected bony work, and cartilage grafting where additional support or reconstruction is required.

He regards the nose primarily as a functional organ while recognising its central influence on facial appearance. Rhinoplasty planning therefore considers nasal function, facial proportion and long-term structural stability together.

Research

Dr Michael is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Monash University.

He has published research across rhinology, otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. This has included research concerning sinonasal imaging and publications relating to reconstructive rhinoplasty, as well as contributions to international and Australian ENT literature.

He has recently established a research collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, bringing together clinical rhinology and rhinoplasty with engineering and technology research. Current areas of interest include quantitative nasal imaging, three-dimensional reconstruction, nasal airflow and aeroacoustics, cartilage mapping and biomechanics, and objective assessment of nasal structure and function.

Surgical education and teaching

Dr Michael is a Fellow of the Academy of Surgical Educators and is actively involved in surgical and medical education.

He teaches specialist ENT trainees and medical students and provides education for nursing staff in rhinology and the care of patients with nasal and sinus conditions. He also contributes to continuing professional education for general practitioners.

Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh

  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

  • Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS)

  • Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS)

  • Fellow of the Academy of Surgical Educators

Current clinical practice

Dr Michael consults in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, where he sees adults and children with rhinology and general ENT conditions, as well as patients considering functional, cosmetic, revision and reconstructive rhinoplasty.

He also holds public hospital appointments in Melbourne, including at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Western Health. Privately, he operates through Cabrini Hospital, Malvern and Epworth Hospitals in Richmond and Hawthorn.