An accomplished surgeon, lecturer and administrator Prof. F.C Akpuaka is an intellectual heavy-weight and a Medical super heavy-weight. He has a double professorial chair as a professor of Plastic/Reconstructive surgery and also as a professor of Anatomy. This double – header is a rare feat and it is a reflection of the academic abilities and medical competencies of this most humble, modest and jovial of a man.
The Akpuaka Technique
Prof. F.C Akpuaka rose to international stardom and climbed to the peak of Medical plastic surgery when he discovered and pioneered what the world of plastic surgery has dubbed ”Akpuaka” technique which left the medial world astounded and applauding. Prof. Akpuaka has through his Medical miracle baby the Akpuaka technique become an international standard and reference. Prof. Akpuaka has joined the elite band of great men who have added to the body of knowledge.
The Akpuaka Technique
The Akpuaka technique is an Orthopaedic procedure developed by a group of Nigerian Orthopaedic surgeons headed by Professor Frank Akpuaka. This technique, the Radial Recurrent fascioucutaneous flap in interposition Arthroplasts of Elbow Ankylosis, was first experimented on by these doctors in 2006, with their ultimate triumph happening in 2010. It is a technique used to treat Ankylosis”…… a stiffness of a joint due to abnormal and adhesion and rigidity.
Hear Prof Akpuaka “The technique was developed at my private hospital St. Francis Hospital, plastic surgery/orthopaedic unit Richard Street, Asata, Enugu. The simplicity of the technique excited me. It became a one stage technique principally to accommodate the pocket of the patient. It took me just 50 minutes to develop the technique. “it was first published in Britain after some delay (I had written the report and send in several times, through the timely/kind interventions of my consultants while training in the UK. Professor Mills Irving of General surgeon and Prof. Craig of plastic surgery. They both saw that my discovery was published in Britain (in the British journal of accident surgery). “This is a great alternative to total elbow replacement especially in a resource poor environment as ours”.
GRABB’S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FLAPS
TECHNIQUES USED IN PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
“By 1997 the report was published in the Encyclopaedia after they had officially written me and after taking copy right permission from the Journal”. My work was published in 3 successive editions (1997, 2009, 2017). I happen to be the only black surgeon original whose technique is on Grabb’s Encyclopaedia of flaps the “Bible” of Plastic surgery flaps techniques.
“These are techniques used in plastic surgery and originally designed by about built 585 Plastic Surgeon world-wide living and dead. My technique offers the world the simplest method for covering an exposed elbow joint most commonly from accidents. It is called “Radial recurrent fuscio-cutaneous flap for coverage of elbow defects”. This is what surgeons now refer to as Akpuaka flap”.
“The publication in 2011 is an extended use of the original method this time to bring mobility to a stiff elbow so that it becomes fully functional again. Working with a team of Orthopaedic Surgeons who removed a bone block to recreate a joint, I modified the original flap and interposed in the new joints to prevent the joint becoming stiff again. This is an extended use of the original Akpuaka flap. The one in the Encyclopaedia is the original method”.
Medical Administration, Societies, Publications and Journals.
Prof. Akpuaka has published extensively in National and International journals in plastic surgery and anatomy.
- Founding President in 1995 of Nigeria Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (NAPRAS)
- Founding President Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomist of Nigeria (SECAN) 2001.
- Pioneer Editor-in-chief, orient journal of Medicine. Nigerian Medical Association Journals first east of the Niger 1989 – 2004.
- Secretary- General of International College of Surgeons Nigerian National Section 2006 – 2010.
- Twelfth President International College of Surgeons Nigerian National Section 2010 – 2013.
ABSU PIONEER EMERITUS PROFESSOR
In August 2017, Prof. Akpuaka was unanimously elected the first ever Emeritus Professor of Abia State University since 1981 having scaled through the very rigorous criteria set by the University for such an appointment. He remains the only one till date.
Medical Background
Prof. Francis Chinedu Akpuaka studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan and graduated in 1973 instead of 1970 as a result of Biafra war. He was among the first set of Doctors that went for the NYSC. He was the first Senior House Officer in the Plastic Surgery unit at the Orthopaedic hospital in Enugu. In 1976 under an Orthopaedic internal scholarship of five years, he left for the United Kingdom for further training at the Manchester Teaching Hospital in General and Plastic Surgery.
He came back to Orthopaedic hospital Enugu in August 1981 and became a consultant. In July 1985 he voluntarily retired from Orthopaedic hospital and went into full-time private practice because of the new Government policy banning Private Practice. He then set-up St Francis Hospital, Richard Street, Asaba Enugu.
ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL COLLEGE (ABSU) 1991-2010
The Apogee of Prof. Akpuaka’s Medical Career
Prof. Akpuaka pioneered the Medical College, consolidated it, nurtured it and reaped the fruits.
“I arrived ABSU in 1991 when the Medical School was about to be closed down. I came to ABSU from my position as the First Head of Anatomy at Anambra University of Technology (ASUTECH) Nnewi, Anambra State now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where I built the Anatomy Department to Accreditation”.
“At ABSU, I set-up the Medical School on 2nd October, 1991 and under one year and 3months in January, 1993 we got our Medical Council Accreditation”. “I was the pioneer provost of ABSU Medical School for twelve years”. “I became a Professor of Plastic Surgery and also a Professor of Anatomy at ABSU in 1991. It was historical because I had two professorial chairs”.
Prof. Akpuaka working very assiduously transformed the General Hospital Aba into Abia State Teaching Hospital. “We passed all accreditation by both the Nigerian Medical Council and the Nigerian University Commission.
ABSU graduated her first set of Medical Doctors in 1996 under the able watch and tutelage of Prof. Akpuaka. “In 1996 I introduced Masters and PhD programmes at Abia State University Medical School, in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology and Surgical Pathology. I have trained 29 PhD’s in Anatomy and 79 M.Sc’s. Twelve (12) of my students I trained in the PhD programme are full-time Professors and many are associate professors (readers) across 15 Medical School. Prof. Akpuaka is the Grand patron of ABSU Medical Alumni of Great Britain and he attends their Annual Conferences.
Awards and Honours
- Frank Akpuaka students centre. This building constructed by the ABSU Medical School Alumni at the Abia Teaching Hospital Aba was dedicated in honour of Prof. Frank Chinedu Akpuaka for his selfless and pioneering work in the ABSU Medical School and training thousand of doctors to excellence. The Governor opened the building on the 29th of November, 2019.
- Oke Oji n’ Abia.
This was the Honours Award given to Prof. Akpuaka by the entire people of Abia State. The occasion was in 2001 at the 10th Anniversary of the creation of Abia State. He was the only recipient from the University community.
Anambra State University Uli: Medical School
Prof. F.C. Akpuaka took his pioneering zeal, hardwork, penchant for excellence, administrative genius, Medical skills to Anambra State University Medical School where he became the first Provost of the Medical School.
In 2008, Prof. Akpuaka took a sabbatical leave from ABSU and came to Uli. He retired from ABSU in May 2010, at the age of 65 and became full-time Provost of the Anambra State University, Uli Medical School for the first eight years.
“In 2012, the first set of students took their second M.B exams. “The Amaku General Hospital Awka was transformed to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital. By 2016, the first set of doctors graduated from Awka in MBBs. They were thirteen in number. In Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University on 24 September 2020 just graduated 55 doctors last week the 6th batch.
“My involvement with Anambra State University Uli, Medical School, came from a chance meeting in my house in Enugu. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyeka Amaechi informed me that the Medical School was about to be closed down after my causal inquiry. I told her no and I gave them curriculum in medical courses (BSc in Physiology and Anatomy) and to retain some students. These students later came back when the Medical School came back in full swing.
Ebonyi State University and Later ESUT College of Medicine
For seven years their Medical School was not accredited. I was invited to be the Provost of the Medical School at the same time. I was the Provost of ABSU Medical School. The Registrar of Nigeria Medical Council refused saying I cannot he provost of two Medical Schools at the same time. I however assisted in building the Medical School and under five months, they were accredited. Fortunately I was a member of the Nigeria Medical Council Accreditation team.
Madonna University Medical School
I was the External Examiner, pre-clinical in Madonna at Okija and Teaching Hospital at Elele. “I helped them of advisory role at inception”.
Imo State University Teaching Hospital
“I helped in no small measure in the initial establishment of this school in Owerri and Orlu.
School Captain 1964 Government Secondary School, Owerri
Born on 13th May, 1945 to Chief Francis Akpuaka the Onowu of Abagana, Anambra State for 43 years and a Customary Court Registrar and judge. Onowu Akpuaka was a pioneer student of Government College Umuahia in 1929.
Prof. Akpuaka had his primary school at Government School, Awka before he proceeded to join his uncle Fred Akpuaka the Headmaster at Government School, Owerri. He gained admission into government secondary school, Owerri on 12th September 1957
“Mazi Nnamdi Nwigwe was my classmate I was in PYKE-NOTT house with Prof. Okwudiba Nnoli, I later moved to New house.
I was initially penciled down as house captain in Dec., 1963 but Mr Garrod called me to his office and informed me of my selection as school captain for 1964. Shombe etc
FAMILY: Prof. Married his sweetheart Mabel Akpuaku (nee Ihekwaba a retired professor of Organic Chemistry), an old student of St. Catherine’s Nkwerre. They met in University of Ibadan. Two of his children (twins) Chinedu and Obianuju are Medical Doctors in the UK. The other two are a lawyer and Medical Social Worker in a Federal Specialist Hospital.
