Martyn Webster, Pioneering Microsurgeon, Dies at 86
Martyn Webster, a twin brother and a seminal figure in the advancement of microsurgery both within the United Kingdom and internationally, has passed away at the age of 86. His influential career spanned decades, marked by clinical excellence, educational leadership, and humanitarian contributions that reshaped reconstructive surgical practices worldwide.
Early Career and Contributions to Microsurgery
In 1971, Webster joined the Canniesburn regional plastic surgery unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, a centre renowned for its excellence in reconstructive surgery. By 1976, he had ascended to the roles of consultant and senior lecturer, where his clinical expertise encompassed a broad spectrum of procedures, including microsurgery, head and neck surgery, hand surgery, and breast reconstruction. He was instrumental in founding early microsurgical societies, such as the Microsurgery Travelling Club in 1977 and the British Microsurgical Society in 1981, fostering collaboration and innovation in the field.
Webster further solidified his legacy by developing and directing training courses in microsurgery. In 1986, he authored Free Tissue Transfer, one of the pioneering textbooks on the subject, which became a cornerstone resource for surgeons globally. His dedication to education extended beyond publications, as he was widely recognized as an excellent teacher and distinguished lecturer, with his expertise sought after internationally.
Leadership and Humanitarian Work
His leadership roles included serving as president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons from 1994 to 1995 and the European Association of Plastic Surgeons from 2000 to 2001. From the early 1990s onward, Webster dedicated significant efforts to West Africa through ReSurge Africa, a charity focused on training local doctors in reconstructive surgical techniques. He believed in empowering regional healthcare systems as a long-term solution, rather than relying on short-term visiting teams. As director from 2011 to 2022, he led the development of burns units at Korle-Bu hospital in Accra, Ghana, and established a similar facility in Sierra Leone, continuing this work until 2021 despite retiring from the NHS in 2006.
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in Glasgow to Sheila (née MacLennan) and Gordon Webster, with a family background in stained-glass artistry, Webster was educated at Glasgow Academy and Rugby School before studying medicine at Glasgow University, graduating in 1963. He married Shery Rogers in 1964, and during his student years, he worked as a lamplighter in Partick, Glasgow, balancing this with his studies and social life. After graduation, he initially worked in pathology at Glasgow Royal Infirmary before commencing formal surgical training in 1968.
Outside of medicine, Webster was an avid sailor, owning several classic keelboats and actively promoting the pleasure of sailing, though he could be competitive at times. His efforts to preserve the Scottish Islander class are documented in a 2023 book by his friend Ewan Kennedy. He is survived by his wife Shery, children Emma-Jo, Toby, and Timothy, seven grandchildren, and his twin brother, having predeceased his eldest daughter Amanda, who died at age seven.
Martyn Webster's life and work have left an indelible mark on the field of microsurgery, blending clinical innovation with compassionate humanitarianism, and his legacy continues to inspire surgeons and patients alike across the globe.
