In this in-depth conversation, Nara speaks with Professor Mike Rigby, one of the most influential figures in paediatric cardiology, about a career that has spanned more than four decades and transformed how children’s heart disease is diagnosed, treated, and understood.

From the early days of limited diagnostics and high-risk surgery to today’s advanced imaging, interventional cardiology, and improving survival rates, Mike reflects on the extraordinary evolution of paediatric heart care. He shares personal stories from his time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, insights into pioneering procedures, and what it meant to train and mentor generations of cardiologists from around the world.

The conversation also explores the human side of medicine – communicating with families at moments of intense anxiety, teaching with passion, and what it means to leave a legacy in healthcare.

This episode is essential viewing for clinicians, trainees, students, and anyone interested in the history and future of paediatric cardiology.

Topics covered include:

• The early years of paediatric cardiology
• The emergence and impact of echocardiography
• Interventions vs surgery in congenital heart disease
• How outcomes and survival rates have changed
• Training, mentorship, and medical education
• Communicating with parents during critical moments
• The future of paediatric cardiology and genetics
• Reflections on legacy and a life in medicine

Professor Hesham Saleh is a highly accomplished, leading London-based consultant rhinologist and facial plastic surgeon who specialises in rhinoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, rhinology, anterior skull-base surgery, orbital decompression, as well as lacrimal surgery. He currently practises at the Charing Cross Hospital and the Harley ENT Practice.

The esteemed Professor Saleh successfully completed his FRCS (ENT) in 1995, before going on to obtain a FRCS (ORL-HNS) four years later, in 1999. He notably featured in The Times' top 140 doctors list and was elected in their top 50 surgeons list. He is regularly invited as an international expert in rhinoplasty and rhinology at conferences worldwide and serves as Professor of Practice in Rhinology at Imperial College. He forms an integral part of a myriad of professional bodies including the Royal Society of Medicine, for which he is the past president of the section of Laryngology and Rhinology.

His main research interests include rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, anterior skull-base pathology, as well as nasal deformities. Currently, Professor Saleh is the leading investigator in a large number of prestigious and well-established multicentre trials, where he is responsible for the investigation of olfactory damage and eradication of multidrug resistant bacteria that affect the sinuses.

Keywords

social media, patient information, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic trends, young patients, online resources, misinformation

Summary

The conversation explores the significant impact of social media on how patients, particularly young individuals, gather information about cosmetic surgery. It highlights the contrast between reliable medical institutions and the often misleading content found on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The discussion emphasizes the need for better educational resources in the field of facial plastic and cosmetic surgery to counteract the influence of unrealistic beauty standards propagated online.

Chapters

00:00 Intro music

00:32 The Journey into ENT Surgery

03:06 From Medical Student to Passionate Surgeon

05:51 Navigating the Path to Specialization

09:45 The Evolution of Training in ENT

11:40 Challenges for Today's Trainees

14:13 The Role of Non-UK Graduates in the NHS

23:49 Understanding Rhinology: More than Just Noses

28:20 The Complexity of Sinus Surgery

31:18 Innovations in Endoscopic Surgery

35:44 Patient Benefits and Surgical Evolution

37:40 The Intersection of Facial Plastics and ENT

42:00 Social Media's Impact on Cosmetic Surgery

49:48 The Future of ENT and Surgical Technology

54:09 Legacy and Lifelong Learning