Maxillofacial Advanced Symposium
by John Frodel, M.D.
The sixth annual AO ASIF "Advanced Symposium on Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction" was held February 27-29, 2000, in Breckenridge, Colorado, chaired by Norman Clark, D.M.D., M.D., Peter Koltai, M.D., and Edward Mosby, D.D.S.; Professor Joachim Prein, founder and director of all previous AO maxillofacial courses in Davos, was Honorary Chairman.
Highlights of this very successful meeting included historical lectures on maxillofacial trauma (Dr. Brian Alpert), craniofacial surgery (Dr. Anthony Wolfe), and the evaluation of rigid fixation (Professor Prein). Other meeting highlights included state-of-the-art topics such as endoscopic approaches to maxillofacial trauma, craniomaxillofacial distraction osteogenesis, updates on use of biomaterials and resorbable plating systems, and utilization of growth factors for bone healing.
In a very well received portion of the program, "Complications: How I wish I hadn't done it," Dr. Mosby, Dr. Joe Gruss, Dr. Alpert, and Dr. Bob Kellman presented informative discussions on complications they have encountered in their respective careers, and how they have learned from the management of those complications. True to AO tradition, focused workshops on a variety of topics, such as "mandibular trauma reconstruction," "midface trauma and reconstruction," "cranial base access," "pediatric craniofacial issues," and "orbital trauma," were well attended and produced some lively discussion. This tradition continues to be a mainstay of all AO courses, including advanced courses.
NAMEC also met in Breckenridge, in its last meeting under Dr. Brian Alpert's chairmanship. Highlights of the committee's activities during Dr. Alpert's tenure as chairman include solidification of the two-day maxillofacial workshop format, introduction of distraction osteogenesis courses, and development of the "Mid-Tier" courses. Committees specifically aimed at further development in the areas of distraction osteogenesis, and endoscopic approaches in maxillofacial surgery, and a committee dedicated to further development of our relationship with our neurosurgical colleagues were created during his term. The NAMEC has prospered under Dr. Alpert's leadership and we all wish to thank him for his long term and continued commitment to AO Maxillofacial.
We also welcome Dr. Warren Schubert of St. Paul, Minnesota, and wish him the best of luck and success, as he begins a two-year tenure as chairman of NAMEC.