Clinical research continues to con?rm that no truth is total care of the severely traumatized patient in the ?rst more transitory than that in the sphere of scienti?c hours following the accident. knowledge. Developments in the ?eld of traumatology at The further development of the AO/ASIF concept led the end of this century provide a striking example of to today s comprehensive craniofacial surgery in the this. As early as 1890 Lambotte carried out osteosynthe- ?elds of traumatology,orthognatics,tumor,and rec- ses with plates and screws. These remained a mere epi- structive surgery. sode, however, until Danis renewed the idea of internal AO/ASIF courses contributed fundamentally to the ?xation 50 years later. Danis combined internal ?xation development of these ?elds. In the course of its wor- with the new technique of interfragmentary compres- wide response,the AO/ASIF philosophy has been able to sion,which led to primary bone healing that allowed full attract distinguished authors to join the faculty of function at the same time. Reacting to disconcerting sta- AO/ASIF courses. By sharing their clinical,experim- tistics about the results of conservative fracture treat- tal,and theoretical experience,they take part in shaping ment,Mueller then applied interfragmentary compres- a special internal ?xation technique in the craniofacial sion to 80 patients in Switzerland and con?rmed its use- skeleton. The philosophical aspect of AO/ASIF courses fulness. in theory and practice assures high standards of quality.

1 Scientific Background

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Bone as a Material
1.3 Fractures in the Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Skeleton
1.4 Indications for Operative Treatment of Fractures
1.5 Operative Reduction and Internal Fixation
1.6 Design and Function of Implants and Instruments
1.7 Set Configurations
1.8 External Fixation Devices
References and Suggested Reading
2 Anatomic Approaches
3 Mandibular Fractures
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Treatment Planning
3.3 Cost Effectiveness
3.4 Adequate Stability
3.5 Mistakes in Application and Technique
3.6 Failures
3.7 Indications for Osteosynthesis
3.8 Indications for Perioperative Antibiotic Cover
3.9 General Remarks
3.10 Localization and Types of Fracture
3.11 Fractures of the Symphysis and the Parasymphyseal Area
3.12 Fractures of the Horizontal Ramus
3.13 Fractures of the Mandibular Angle
3.14 Condylar and Subcondylar Fractures
3.15 Fractures of the Atrophic Mandible
3.16 Infected Fractures
3.17 Defect Fractures
3.18 Mandibular Fractures in Children
References and Suggested Reading
4 Craniofacial Fractures
4.1 Organization of Treatment in Panfacial Fractures
References and Suggested Reading
4.2 Le Fort I-III Fractures
References and Suggested Reading
4.3 Naso-Orbital-Ethmoid Fractures
References and Suggested Reading
4.4 Zygomatic Complex Fractures
References and Suggested Reading
4.5 Orbital Fractures
References and Suggested Reading
4.6 Cranial Vault
References and Suggested Reading
5 Reconstructive Tumor Surgery in the Mandible
5.1 Diagnosis
5.2 Patient Selection
5.3 Description of Procedures
5.4 Complications
5.5 Technical Errors
References and Suggested Reading
6 Stable Internal Fixation of Osteotomies of the Facial Skeleton
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Treatment Planning for Internal Fixation of Osteotomies
6.3 Surgical Procedures
6.4 Evaluation of Outcomes
6.5 Complications
6.6 Summary
References and Suggested Reading
7 Craniofacial Deformities
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Incisions for Craniofacial Reconstruction and Patient Positioning
7.3 Craniosynostosis
7.4 Planning and Reconstruction
7.5 Surgical Technique: Anterior Cranial Expansion and Reconstruction
7.6 Posterior Cranial Expansion
7.7 Complete or Subtotal Calvarial Expansion
7.8 Hypertelorism
7.9 Monoblock Osteotomies
7.10 Orbital Dystopia
7.11 Craniofacial (Hemifacial) Microsomia
7.12 The Treacher Collins Malformation
7.13 Encephaloceles
7.14 Bone Lengthening by Continuous Distraction
References and Suggested Reading.