Minimally Invasive (MI) Orthognathic Surgery 2023

For 25 years, I have been focusing on how to decrease patient morbidity and increase postoperative recovery and comfort after orthognathic/orthofacial surgery by continuous selfreflection, research, education, and innovation. The Color Atlas and Manual on Three-Dimensional Cephalometry (Springer, 2005) was an attempt to bridge conventional cephalometry with the 3D virtual approach by the introduction of 3D cephalometry. It is amazing that after more than 18 years the concept of this atlas remains more than actual for both orthodontists and surgeons. 3D Virtual Treatment Planning of Orthognathic Surgery: A Step-by-Step Approach for Orthodontists and Surgeons (Springer, 2017) represented a comprehensive, systematic, standardized but above individualized patient approach toward 3D virtual planning of orthognathic surgery in the daily clinical routine. Although I promised myself afterwards never to undertake a book project anymore, the intrinsic force toward teaching was just too big. The COVID-19 pandemic with three lockdowns in my country made me aware of how important education is to stimulate research toward innovation for better healthcare. This new atlas Minimally Invasive Orthognathic Surgery represents the third part of a “trilogy” based on a “personal 25 years Odyssey” dedicated to improving overall care of patients with maxillofacial deformity. I sincerely hope that this manual will be a guide for both young and experienced surgeons to increase both their own skills and the quality of life of their orthognathic patients.