Advancements in Maxillofacial Trauma: A Historical Perspective.

For the 75th anniversary of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the authors were asked to review the past and examine advancements in the management of facial trauma. Several important advances in the management of maxillofacial trauma have resulted in improved outcomes. These include the development of high-resolution computed tomography, improved classification schemes, rigid fixation techniques, improved biomaterials, soft tissue resuspension, and primary bone grafting. Further advances in outcomes have occurred with the use of microsurgical techniques, free tissue transfer techniques, virtual surgical planning, endoscopic techniques, and surgical navigation. Historic treatments and these important advances are discussed.