Historical evolution of surgical approaches to the face-part III: lower face.

Surgical approaches to the head and maxillofacial area have been described and modified by many authors throughout history. It was, however, during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when most of the techniques were described, mainly thanks to the advent of anesthesia and antibiotic therapy. Currently, a myriad of surgical techniques are employed to access the maxillofacial complex, with each of them having advantages and disadvantages. Although the approaches are the subject of textbooks and articles, most do not describe the circumstances or the historical context under which they were designed. In a series of three articles, we will provide a historical perspective of the most common surgical approaches to the head and face employed today. Descriptions contain advantages and disadvantages and modifications are provided. The purpose of the present article (3/3) is to review the approaches to the lower face.

Historical evolution of surgical approaches to the face-part I: head and upper face.

Surgical approaches to the head and maxillofacial area have been described and modified by many authors throughout history. It was, however, during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries due in large part to improvements in the delivery of anesthesia and antibiotic therapy when most of the techniques were described. Currently, a myriad of surgical techniques are employed to access the maxillofacial complex with advantages and disadvantages for each one. Although each approach is described in many text and articles, few describe the circumstances or the historical context under which they were designed. In a series of three articles, a historical perspective will be provided on the evolution of some of the most commonly employed today. Descriptions will enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of as well as later modifications. The purpose of the present article (1/3) is to review the approaches to the head and upper face.

Historical evolution of surgical approaches to the face-part II: midface.

Surgical approaches to the head and maxillofacial area have been described and modified by multiple authors throughout history. It was during nineteenth and twentieth century when most of the techniques evolved due to advances in anesthesia and antibiotic therapy. Currently, a myriad of surgical approaches are employed to gain access to the maxillofacial complex, with each of them having advantages and disadvantages. Although the approaches are presented in numerous textbooks and articles, few texts describe the circumstances or historical context under which they were developed. In a series of three articles, we will provide a historical perspective of the evolution of the most common surgical approaches to the head and face employed today. Descriptions contain advantages and disadvantages of the approaches and modifications are also provided. The purpose of the present article (2/3) is to review the approaches to the midface.

Third molar surgery: Past, present, and the future.

Third molar surgery is the most common ambulatory procedure done by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Surgical approaches for the removal of third molars have been published since the 20th century. This article reviews the history and development of extraction techniques through a literature review. The literature was selected through a search of an electronic database. Key words for the Medline search were "mandibular/maxillary third molar," "impacted mandibular/maxillary third molar," "mandibular/maxillary third molar flap design," and "mandibular/maxillary third molar incision." The search was restricted to English-language articles. Additionally, a manual search in the major oral surgery journals and books was performed. The aim of this article is to examine the evolution of third molar surgery, recognize pioneering techniques, and compare these techniques to current approaches. Common approaches employed today are discussed and treatment philosophies with thoughts for future therapies are provided.