Special Topics in Palatal and Maxillary Reconstruction

Sameep Kadakia, MD

This month, I am very excited to present a unique subject to the readers of our journal—Special Topics in Palatal and Maxillary Reconstruction.

Located at the crossroads of the buttress system, the maxilla is an integral component of facial architecture owing to its close proximity to critical structure in this region. With the orbit, oral cavity, nasal passage, and pterygopalatine fossa as its flanking regions, maxillary pathology has a great capacity to cause significant functional and aesthetic impairment.

Any disruption of the maxilla, whether congenital, iatrogenic, traumatic, or oncologic, poses a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon due to the unique geometry of this structure and the difficulty in prioritizing reconstructive goals. Oftentimes, reconstructive surgeons must stratify the objectives of repair based on the patient's desires, analysis of reconstructive options, and consideration of the patient's overall health and quality of life.

Maxillary reconstruction is an imperfect science that is highly debated and constantly evolving. New techniques in autologous and engineered reconstructive options push the boundaries of what surgeons are able to offer patients in this exciting era of great progress.

In this special preparation of Seminars in Plastic Surgery, I am delighted to offer a collection of special topics composed by leaders in our field. I want to thank the authors for taking the time to share their life work with us and I express my gratitude for the ability to serve as guest editor for this issue.