Dip Hand Surg (Br) / 2019
Diploma in Hand Surgery
British Society for Surgery of the Hand, with the University of Manchester
Meet Prof. Dr.SamiHassan
- Hand & wrist surgeon
- UK trained
- Academic surgeon
- Clinical leadership
- International fellowships
Precision in surgery. Purpose in teaching. Leadership in care.
01The surgeon
A career devotedto the hand and wrist.
Prof. Dr. Sami Hassan is a UK board-certified Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, specialising in surgery of the hand and wrist.
His orthopaedic career spans more than eighteen years. It began at the University of Sheffield and continued through specialty training in the East Midlands and fellowship training at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre in Derby and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London.
Before moving to the UAE, he was Clinical Lead for Hand Surgery at a large NHS hospital. In 2022 he joined Healthpoint Hospital in Abu Dhabi, where he treats the full range of hand and wrist conditions, from acute fractures to injuries that present late, after they have healed poorly or not at all.
Alongside clinical work he teaches, lectures and publishes, and holds the post of Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Gulf Medical University.
- Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi, since 2022
- GMC Specialist Register since 2017
- English and Urdu
Elite sports experience
- Motor racing
- Football
- Ice hockey
Hand and wrist experience at the elite level of three demanding sports.
02Training
Built in the UK,one stage at a time.
Surgical training in the UK is long by design. Each stage is examined before the next begins, from medical school to the specialist register, followed by dedicated fellowship training in hand surgery.
- 2006
University of Sheffield
An intercalated Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci) with Honours, followed by a medical degree (MBChB).
- MRCS
Royal College of Surgeons
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, the foundation of surgical training in the UK.
- T&O
East Midlands (North) rotation
Specialty training in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery.
- FRCS
FRCS (Tr & Orth)
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Trauma & Orthopaedics, the UK specialty board examination.
- CCT
Certificate of Completion of Training
Completion of specialist training in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery.
- 2017
GMC Specialist Register
Entry on the UK General Medical Council’s Specialist Register.
- Hand
Fellowship training
The Pulvertaft Hand Centre in Derby, and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London.
- BSSH
BSSH Travelling Fellowship
Stanford University, at the Robert A. Chase Hand and Upper Limb Centre in California.
03International distinction
Two diplomas.One year.
In 2019 he completed both the British and the European hand-surgery diplomas. He is one of few surgeons internationally, and the only surgeon in the Middle East and North Africa, to hold both.
Eur B Hand Surg / 2019
European Board of Hand Surgery Diploma
Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH)
04Academia & teaching
Surgery improveswhen it is taught well.
Prof. Sami brings clinical practice into the teaching room. He is a hands-on instructor on surgical training courses and faculty for IBRA instructional courses. He has chaired hand surgery congresses and several courses and meetings, lectures internationally and reviews submissions for a hand surgery journal.
- ProfessorAssociate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gulf Medical University
- InstructorHands-on instructor for surgical training courses
- FacultyIBRA instructional courses
- ChairChairing hand surgery congresses, and chairman of several courses and meetings
- ReviewerPeer review for a hand surgery journal
- ResearchJournal publications and a textbook chapter, listed below
05Leadership
Beyond the operation. Across the entire surgical journey.
Good surgery depends on everything around it: the pathway before theatre, the team inside it and the recovery that follows.
As a clinical leader, Prof. Sami has worked on multidisciplinary surgical pathways, patient safety and outcomes. The same themes run through his research on cancelled operating lists, operation notes, access to medical records and radiation exposure in theatre.
- Clinical Lead for Hand SurgeryA large NHS hospital, United Kingdom
- Chair of Perioperative SurgeryCare before, during and after surgery
06Global journey
From the UK to the UAE.
01 / 06
United Kingdom
Training & consultant practice. Sheffield, the East Midlands, Derby and London: medical school, specialty training, hand fellowships and clinical leadership in the NHS.
02 / 06
California
BSSH Travelling Fellowship. Stanford University, Robert A. Chase Hand and Upper Limb Centre.
03 / 06
Seattle
University of Washington. International training experience in Seattle.
04 / 06
Cape Town
Trauma surgery. The trauma unit at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
05 / 06
Kuala Lumpur
Microsurgery course. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
06 / 06
United Arab Emirates
Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi, since 2022. Consultant practice at Healthpoint Hospital, Zayed Sports City, and academic work with Gulf Medical University.
07Recognition & roles
Qualificationsand responsibilities.
- BMedSci (Hons)
- MBChB
- MRCS
- FRCS (Tr & Orth)
- CCT, Trauma & Orthopaedics
- Dip Hand Surg (Br)
- Eur B Hand Surg
- GMC Specialist Register
- Academic
Associate Clinical Professor
Orthopaedic Surgery, Gulf Medical University
- Clinical
Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon
Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi, since 2022
- Fellowship
BSSH Travelling Fellowship
Stanford University, Robert A. Chase Hand and Upper Limb Centre
- Leadership
Clinical Lead for Hand Surgery
A large NHS hospital, United Kingdom
- Leadership
Chair of Perioperative Surgery
Care before, during and after surgery
- Recognition
Surgeon of Excellence
SRC
- Congresses
Congress chair
Chairing hand surgery congresses
- Courses
Course chairman
Chairman of several courses and meetings
- Teaching
IBRA faculty
Faculty for IBRA instructional courses
- Teaching
Hands-on instructor
Surgical training courses
- Teaching
BSSH Diploma Tutor
British Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Membership
British Society for Surgery of the Hand
BSSH member
- European service
FESSH Relationship Committee
Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand
- Research funding
National Heart Fund grant
Research grant
- Review
Journal reviewer
Peer review for a hand surgery journal
08Areas of expertise
The full spectrumof hand and wrist surgery.
- Hand & wrist fracturesAcute injuries, and fractures that have healed poorly or not at all.
- Nerve compressionCarpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome.
- ArthritisOsteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and Kienböck’s disease.
- Wrist instabilityLigament injuries that affect how the wrist holds and moves.
- Dupuytren’s diseaseContracture that draws the fingers into the palm.
- Sport & upper limbElite sports experience in motor racing, football and ice hockey, and care that returns patients to work, sport and confident movement.
Research
Publications
Journal publications from 2011 to 2024, and a textbook chapter. Select a title to open its research note.
June 2024
The Economic and resource burden of e-scooter-related orthopaedic injuries : A district general hospital’s experience
Original citationM Antonik, S Sankar, J Sheperd, S Hassan. The Economic and resource burden of e-scooter-related orthopaedic injuries : A district general hospital’s experience. Injury 2024 June; 55 (6)
The question
What e-scooter-related orthopaedic injuries cost a hospital, in money and in resources.
The work
A single-centre experience from a district general hospital, as described in the title.
Why it matters
E-scooters are a recent addition to city transport. Knowing the load their injuries place on orthopaedic services helps hospitals plan staffing, theatre time and prevention.
Clinical context
Orthopaedic trauma services and injury prevention.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
June 2022
Fragility Fracture Postoperative Mobilisation Multi-centre Audit
Original citationFragility Fracture Postoperative Mobilisation Multi-centre Audit Bone Joint J 2022 Jul; Vol 104-B (8): 972 - 979
The question
How patients are mobilised after surgery for fragility fractures.
The work
A multi-centre audit.
Why it matters
Getting up and moving after fracture surgery is a central part of recovery for patients with fragile bones, many of whom are older.
Clinical context
Trauma and orthopaedics; fragility fracture care.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
November 2021
The management of suspected scaphoid fractures in the UK : a national cross sectional study
Original citationThe SUSPECT Study Group. The management of suspected scaphoid fractures in the UK : a national cross sectional study. Bone Jt Open 2021 Nov ; 2(11): 997-1003
The question
How hospitals across the UK manage a scaphoid fracture that is suspected but not yet confirmed.
The work
A national cross-sectional study by the SUSPECT Study Group.
Why it matters
A scaphoid fracture is not always visible on the first X-ray, so the way a suspected fracture is handled matters for both over- and under-treatment.
Clinical context
Hand and wrist trauma.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
July 2021
Scaphoid fractures and non-union: a review of current evidence
Original citationM Soufi, A See, S Hassan. Scaphoid fractures and non-union: a review of current evidence. Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma: The Wrist. (July 2021)
The question
What the current evidence says about scaphoid fractures and fractures that fail to unite.
The work
A review of current evidence.
Why it matters
Non-union is one of the recognised difficulties of scaphoid fractures, and delayed presentations are part of specialist hand and wrist practice.
Clinical context
Hand and wrist trauma; delayed presentations.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
November 2020
Time required to access electronic medical records and the potential financial impact in a large district general hospital in England
Original citationH Al-Hussainy, H Al-Baghdadi, S Hassan. Time required to access electronic medical records and the potential financial impact in a large district general hospital in England. J Med Res and Case Reports. (November 2020)
The question
How long it takes to access electronic medical records, and what that time may cost.
The work
A study set in a large district general hospital in England.
Why it matters
Time spent waiting on systems is time taken from patients. Measuring it is the first step to improving it.
Clinical context
Healthcare systems and clinical efficiency.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
October 2020
Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper extremity surgery at the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the UK: national cohort study
Original citationThe Corona Hand Collaborative. Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper extremity surgery at the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the UK: national cohort study. BMJ Quality & Safety (October 2020)
The question
The rates of death and lung complications in patients who had upper-limb surgery during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the UK.
The work
A national cohort study by the Corona Hand Collaborative.
Why it matters
During the pandemic, surgical teams had to weigh the risks of operating against the risks of delay. National data informs those decisions.
Clinical context
Hand and upper-limb surgery; patient safety.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
April 2020
Sensitivity and specificity of radiographs in the diagnosis of carpo-metacarpal joint injuries
Original citationS Hassan, A Aziz, TRCD Davis, ND Downing, R Trickett. Sensitivity and specificity of radiographs in the diagnosis of carpo-metacarpal joint injuries. Journal of Hand and Microsurgery (April 2020)
The question
How reliably plain X-rays identify injuries of the carpometacarpal joints, where the hand meets the wrist.
The work
An assessment of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
Why it matters
These injuries can be subtle. How well X-rays detect them affects whether further imaging is needed.
Clinical context
Hand trauma; diagnosis and imaging.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2020
Paediatric scaphoid non-unions: A case series, review of literature and evidence-based guidelines
Original citationOestreich K, Yoko T, S Hassan, Horwitz D, Lindau TR. Paediatric scaphoid non-unions: A case series, review of literature and evidence-based guidelines. Journal of Wrist Surgery (2020); 09(01): 002-012
The question
Scaphoid fractures in children that have not healed.
The work
A case series with a review of the literature and evidence-based guidelines.
Why it matters
Scaphoid non-union is uncommon in children, so collected cases and guidance are valuable to clinicians who meet it.
Clinical context
Paediatric hand and wrist surgery.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2019
Propionibacterium Acnes infection of the native wrist joint
Original citationD McKean, A Assiotis, M Elvey, S Hassan, R Eckersley. Propionibacterium Acnes infection of the native wrist joint. Journal Hand Surg Am (2019)
The question
Infection of a native wrist joint, one without an implant, by Propionibacterium acnes.
Why it matters
Joint infection needs prompt recognition. An unexpected organism can make the diagnosis harder to reach.
Clinical context
Hand and wrist surgery; infection.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2018
Clinical outcomes of the modified Brostrom’s technique in the management of chronic ankle instability following early, intermediate and delayed presentation
Original citationS Hassan, D Thurston T Sian, A Aziz, P Kothari. Clinical outcomes of the modified Brostrom’s technique in the management of chronic ankle instability following early, intermediate and delayed presentation. Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery (2018) Jul-Aug; 57(4): 685-688
The question
Clinical outcomes of the modified Broström technique for chronic ankle instability, compared by how early or late patients presented.
The work
A clinical outcomes study.
Why it matters
Whether timing of presentation matters is a practical question for patients and surgeons deciding when to operate.
Clinical context
Foot and ankle surgery, from his broader orthopaedic training.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2018
Elective list cancellations and its financial Ramifications
Original citationS Arshad, N Shah, S Hassan – “Elective list cancellations and its financial Ramifications”. Journal of Perioperative Practice (2018)
The question
Cancellations on elective operating lists, and what they cost.
Why it matters
A cancelled operation affects the patient waiting for it and the service that planned it.
Clinical context
Perioperative care and theatre efficiency.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2017
Radiological outcomes following percutaneous pinning of distal radius fractures: 2-wire Vs 3-wire technique
Original citationS Hassan, J Al-Shukri, K Ubaysiri, R Silk, NG Farar - “Radiological outcomes following percutaneous pinning of distal radius fractures: 2-wire Vs 3-wire technique”. EC orthopaedics 7.4 (2017), 148-54
The question
X-ray outcomes after wrist fractures are fixed with wires through the skin, using two wires or three.
The work
A comparison of two fixation techniques.
Why it matters
Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures, so small differences in technique apply to many patients.
Clinical context
Wrist fractures.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
March 2017
The effect of surgical exposure on the amount of radiation of exposure from fluoroscopy in dynamic hip screw fixation
Original citationC Quah, F Shivji, J Chandrasanen, S Hassan, C G Moran, D P Forward. The effect of surgical exposure on the amount of radiation of exposure from fluoroscopy in dynamic hip screw fixation. Ann R Coll Engl Vol 99, Issue 3, (March 2017), 198-202
The question
Whether the surgical exposure used in dynamic hip screw fixation changes the amount of radiation from intraoperative X-ray.
Why it matters
Theatre teams and patients are exposed to radiation during fracture fixation. Anything that reduces it improves safety.
Clinical context
Hip fracture surgery; radiation safety.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
January 2016
Improving the quality of operative notes by implementing a new electronic template for upper limb surgery at the Royal Derby Hospital
Original citationK Theivendran, S Hassan, D I Clark. Improving the quality of operative notes by implementing a new electronic template for upper limb surgery at the Royal Derby Hospital. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports (Jan 2016)
The question
Whether a new electronic template improves the quality of operation notes for upper-limb surgery.
The work
A quality improvement report from the Royal Derby Hospital.
Why it matters
The operation note guides everyone who cares for the patient afterwards. Clear notes support safe follow-up.
Clinical context
Upper-limb surgery; documentation and patient safety.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
September 2011
Trends in Joint Arthroplasty Litigation Over 5 Years: The British Experience
Original citationM A Bhutta, M S Arshad, S Hassan, J J Henderson. Trends in Joint Arthroplasty Litigation Over 5 Years: The British Experience. Ann R Coll Engl (Sept 2011); 93: 460-464
The question
How litigation relating to joint replacement changed over five years in Britain.
The work
A review of trends over five years.
Why it matters
Understanding why claims arise helps surgeons improve consent, communication and care.
Clinical context
Joint replacement surgery; medicolegal practice.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
2011
Hip Hemiarthroplasty – A step by step guide
Original citationS Hassan, E Bagouri, D S Baiju. Hip Hemiarthroplasty – A step by step guide. Core Surgery Journal 1.4, 2011: 18-24
The question
The operative steps of hip hemiarthroplasty.
The work
A step-by-step surgical guide.
Why it matters
Written guides of this kind support surgeons in training as they learn a common operation.
Clinical context
Surgical training; hip fracture surgery.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
Chapters in textbooks
Textbook chapter
ACL avulsion injuries in children
ReferenceC Quah, S Hassan, W Schratt, P Lakshmanan. ACL avulsion injuries in children.
The question
Avulsion injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament in children, where the ligament pulls away a piece of bone or growth cartilage rather than tearing through its middle.
The work
A textbook chapter.
Why it matters
A child’s ligaments are often stronger than the bone and growth plate they attach to, so the same injury that tears an adult ligament can behave differently in a child.
Clinical context
Paediatric orthopaedics and sports injuries.
This note describes the subject of the publication from its title and citation. Methods, findings and each author’s contribution are reported in the original paper.
Archive complete
- Surgery
- Teaching
- Research
- Leadership
A career still in motion.
If your hand or wrist is holding you back, start with a conversation about what you are experiencing.
