Role of different types of reconstruction in facial trauma and artificial intelligence – Editorial Brevia

Repairing traumatic craniofacial fractures is one of the most complex and challenging reconstructive procedures, with several theories regarding its repair prevalent in the literature. The primary goal of management, including diagnostic evaluation, treatment options, and common complications, is to restore the occlusal relationship at the beginning of the sequential repair process so that other structures can come into alignment.

The AO group has proposed a system to classify craniomaxillofacial fractures in adults called AOCMF. This system uses anatomic modules arranged in a hierarchy of three levels of precision to describe the injuries in terms of complexity and details. Level 1 is the most basic and only indicates whether fractures are present in four anatomical units: mandible, midface, skull base, and cranial vault. Level 2 provides more detailed information about the location of the fractures within specific regions of the mandible, central and lateral midface, internal orbit, endocranial and exocranial skull base, and cranial vault. Level 3 describes even greater detail about the location of the injury, focusing on morphology, fragmentation, displacement, and bone defects, within specific subregions.[¹] Although the AO classification is not yet widely adopted, it is a promising research tool for future.

Artificial intelligence (AI), a platform released by ChatGPT in November 30, 2022, is transforming numerous industries and research fields, including oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the realm of craniofacial surgery, AI has been instrumental in advancing the accuracy and speed of diagnosis and treatment plans, facilitating research, and improving patient outcomes. AI has been playing a significant role in advancing the research in the field of craniofacial surgery, leading to better patient outcomes. However, it is important to note that AI is a tool and should not replace the expertise and experience of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The role of AI in oral and maxillofacial surgery should be to enhance and support the work of maxillofacial surgeons, not replace it.