The American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) is a professional organization focused on the science and practice of surgery of the facial region and craniofacial skeleton. The organization is involved in education, research, and advocacy on behalf of patients and maxillofacial surgeons.”
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History
The American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) was founded in 1947. Early members were largely dual-trained in dentistry and medicine. Over the ensuing years, a relationship with the American Medical Association and American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons(now the American Society of Plastic Surgeons) was fostered. After development of formal maxillofacial training programs and later, the birth of the field of craniofacial surgery, the scope of training required for ASMS membership broadened to include surgeons with an MD degree and formal maxillofacial training.
Education and Research
Education of trainees and peers has been an organizational objective since the inception of the ASMS. The Kazanjian lectureship was initiated in 1966. This now biennial lectureship currently alternates with the Converse lectureship at the ASMS portion of the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The maxillofacial basics workshop was founded in 1979. Fundamentals of maxillofacial surgery and basic techniques for management of maxillofacial trauma and orthognathic conditions are taught to residents and fellows around North America semiannually in locations around
In 1998, the ASMS initiated a one-day intensive lecture series preceding the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Each year, the ASMS Pre-conference symposium provides multi-disciplinary education on topics in the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery for students, surgeons-in-training, and practicing plastic and maxillofacial surgeons.
In 2003, two educational fellowships were established to foster the advanced learning in the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery. In addition, the organization offers grants for research on maxillofacial conditions.
Maxillofacial Conditions
American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons initiatives focus on problems with facial form or function including congenital craniofacial differences, traumatic facial injuries, reconstruction after head and neck cancer, and problems with bite. Congenital craniofacial differences are conditions affecting the head and face that present at or shortly after birth such as craniosynostosis, cleft lip and palate, hemifacial microsomia (aka craniofacial microsomia, oculoauriculovertebral spectrum, or Goldenhar syndrome), and Treacher Collins syndrome (aka mandibulofacial dysostosis). Traumatic facial injuries include orbital ("eye socket") fracture, mandible ("jaw") fracture, nasal fracture (“broken nose”), and dog bite. Treatment of head and neck cancer and skin cancer of the face often results in missing tissue requiring jaw reconstruction, skin reconstruction, and nose reconstruction. Problems with occlusion (“bite”) may be treated with orthognathic surgery.