In November 2025, Dr Rodrigo Teixeira travelled to the Netherlands to participate in two internationally renowned events in facial cosmetic surgery: the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) and the QMP Amsterdam conference. These engagements reflect his ongoing commitment to surgical education, continuous professional development, and staying aligned with evolving, anatomy-led techniques in facelift and facial rejuvenation surgery.
As part of the international faculty at MAFAC Amsterdam, Dr Teixeira was invited to teach alongside a select faculty of internationally recognised specialist surgeons, delivering applied facial anatomy education to specialist plastic surgeons. He also attended the QMP Amsterdam conference, a multidisciplinary surgical meeting that supports continued learning across facial, breast and body surgery. Together, these events reinforce the value of shared learning and the integration of current evidence into clinical practice.
MAFAC Amsterdam: Teaching Applied Facial Anatomy
The 34th MAFAC Amsterdam was held on 18–19 November 2025 at Leiden University Medical Centre. MAFAC is a hands-on cadaver dissection course dedicated to applied facial anatomy in aesthetic facial surgery.
Dr Teixeira served as a dissection tutor at MAFAC Amsterdam, supervising specialist plastic surgeons during cadaveric dissection sessions. In this role, he provided real-time guidance on applied facial anatomy and dissection technique and, when appropriate, demonstrated key steps of deep plane facelift surgery and related facial rejuvenation procedures. Teaching focused on safe plane selection, anatomical landmarks, tissue handling, and fixation strategies, including suture placement principles.
A thorough understanding of facial anatomy is central to safe facial surgery. Courses such as MAFAC allow surgeons to revisit complex anatomical relationships in a controlled educational environment, supporting precision and risk awareness in procedures such as facelift surgery and the deep plane facelift.
Further reflections on this course are outlined in Dr Teixeira’s article on what MAFAC has taught him.
What is QMP Amsterdam 2025?
QMP Amsterdam 2025 was held at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute and was organised by Quality Medical Publishing (QMP), with Dr Foad Nahai as convener. Across three days, the program combined structured presentations, operative video masterclasses, and interactive case-based discussion. Facial aesthetic sessions covered a wide range of topics, including:
- SMAS and deep plane facelift strategies
- midface and neck lifting approaches
- brow lift techniques
- periorbital and eyelid surgery
- perioral and lip lift considerations
- complication recognition and avoidance
Dr Teixeira engaged with these sessions to compare international approaches to facial assessment and surgical planning, with an emphasis on preservation principles, anatomical variability, and patient safety.
Key themes and takeaways relevant to the clinic
What’s driving modern facial surgery education?
Anatomy-first planning is being reinforced across facial practice. Both programs emphasised that technique should follow diagnosis and anatomy, not the other way around.
How facelift approaches are being taught?
Deep plane and SMAS approaches are increasingly discussed as a spectrum. Rather than promoting a single method, education trends toward selecting the safest and most appropriate strategy for the individual face and neck.
Why does the neck get dedicated focus?
The neck is treated as a distinct problem set. Contemporary teaching places greater emphasis on structured neck assessment, platysma management, and realistic counselling about what neck surgery can and cannot achieve.
Why are eyelids and brows treated differently?
Periorbital planning continues to move toward preservation and problem-solving. Sessions highlighted tailored approaches and complication awareness in a high-detail anatomical area.
Why do safety sessions matter?
Complication literacy is central. Prevention, early recognition, and management frameworks are part of high-quality surgical education.
What does this mean to our patients and referrers in Melbourne?
MAFAC and QMP Amsterdam are opportunities to teach, learn, and compare approaches with international colleagues. While outcomes vary, ongoing anatomy-focused education helps support thoughtful surgical planning and patient safety.
Based in Melbourne, Dr Teixeira participates in international education and faculty-led teaching to stay aligned with contemporary facial surgery practice and safety principles. For patients, this supports clear consultation discussions about suitability, limitations, and recovery. For referrers, it helps align language around indications, expectations, and coordinated care.