Interview with Dr. Amir H. Dorafshar (AD), Dr. Joseph Lopez (JL), and Dr. Russell R. Reid (RRR)

Why did you feel that it was important to write a book on this topic? What does Computer-Assisted Planning in Craniofacial Surgery, 1st Edition add to the field?  

AD: During my training at Johns Hopkins, I observed the “art” of craniofacial surgery, where experienced practitioners seamlessly envisioned and executed procedures. Upon starting my practice, I struggled with replicating their foresight. Leveraging computer assisted surgery, I successfully “shifted the learning curve”, achieving outcomes comparable to more experienced peers. Collaborating with my colleagues and co-authors, we wrote several papers exploring the novel applications of this technology in craniofacial surgery. This book, a collective effort, synthesizes our insights to serve as a valuable resource, aiding less experienced surgeons in navigating their learning curve and optimizing patient outcomes. 

JL: When I started training in plastic surgery, I saw the “shift” from using traditional craniofacial techniques based on surgical experience/preferences to computer-assisted surgical planning and saw first-hand the revolutionary potential that this technology had on improving patient outcomes. Once I saw its application, I became a fervent believer in its potential and never turned back. I was lucky enough to have young surgeon mentors who were excited to adopt this technology, therefore, solidifying my interest in studying how best to optimize this technology in craniofacial surgery.   

RRR: Craniofacial surgery is at the forefront of embracing technology to deliver quality care for its patients.  A major unmet educational need for trainees as well as established surgeons is a resource that crystallizes the concepts, theory and practice of computer-assisted surgery.  Without this book, craniofacial surgeons will stay siloed in their own practices and best practices in this area will not be disseminated. 

What is the most exciting aspect of Computer-Assisted Planning in Craniofacial Surgery, 1st Edition? What chapter or topic covered are you most excited about?   

AD: The video sections explaining the practical, “how I do it” are the areas I am most excited about as it provides unseen insights from leading surgeons around the world on their thought processes in surgical case planning. 

JL: I am most excited about how practical each chapter in the book is. It provides a template for surgeons, young and old, on how to leverage this technology to improve the fidelity of surgical results in craniofacial surgery.   

RRR: Each chapter is a multimedia adventure between text, powerpoint/bulletpoints, and state-of-the-art videography. 

Who will find the greatest value from Computer-Assisted Planning in Craniofacial Surgery, 1st Edition, and why?   

AD: All surgeons who have an interest in craniofacial surgery including plastic surgeons, ENT surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons. They can be in training or at different stages of their careers. 

JL: All surgeons, including those in training or with decades of experience. 

RRR: As stated above, this book captures many surgical disciplines and will entice surgeons at the varied levels of their clinical training journey. 

What new ideas, practices, or procedures do you hope your readers take away from Computer-Assisted Planning in Craniofacial Surgery, 1st Edition?  

AD: I would like this book to be used as a guide for less experienced surgeons to learn from master surgeons on how they think when they apply computer-assisted surgical planning into their surgeries to ultimately optimize patient outcomes. 

JL: I hope that readers can take away a “recipe” for each index craniofacial procedure they perform and use this “recipe” to apply computer-assisted surgical planning into their practice.  

RRR: I hope that this book demystifies computer-assisted surgical planning for its readership and that such technology is adaptable and empowering. 

 What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?   

AD: I believe that computer-assisted technology will be a stepping stone for future development of Virtual Augmentation and Virtual Reality implementation in Craniofacial Surgery. This will allow us to use AI and robotic technology to optimize our results. 

JL: The next generation will leverage AI and robotic technology to better optimize the engineering principles and work-flow necessary to bring virtual planning to reality.  

RRR: Certainly, I hope future generations will not only embrace computer-assisted technology, but also leverage AI, robotic technology, and large data to evaluate and validate outcomes.  I also hope that future generations can leverage these technological advances to standardize care and reduce health care disparities that exist worldwide. 

Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say?   

AD: We are in an exciting time in history to witness the “technological revolution” and how this will impact surgery is yet to be fully determined. This book takes us on the first step on that journey. 

JL: Technology is ever-evolving. I am excited that this book is at the cutting edge of craniofacial surgery and will have an immediate impact on the readership.   

RRR: This book is a forum for those who have experience in computer-assisted surgery to share best practices and disseminate those practices to those who want to master such powerful technological adjuncts in their career.   

About the Authors

Amir Dorafshar, MD, FACS (AD). I completed my residency training at the University of Chicago and then my fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins/ University of Maryland Combined Craniofacial Fellowship Program. I served for 5 years as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago Illinois. I have now started private practice in Chicago, Illinois. I have an interest in complex craniofacial and microsurgery for congenital differences and traumatic and oncological conditions. 

My name is Joseph Lopez (JL) and I am a dual-trained Pediatric Head/Neck Surgical Oncologist and Pediatric Craniofacial surgeon. I serve as Chief of Pediatric Head & Neck Surgery at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, Florida. My passion is providing children afflicted with craniofacial anomalies and head/neck tumors the opportunity to reach their full potential.  

Russell R. Reid, MD PhD (RRR). I am the Bernard G. Sarnat MD Professor of Surgery and Craniofacial Research at the University of Chicago.  After my residency at Northwestern University in plastic surgery, I completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery at the University of Pennsylvania/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I have been at the University of Chicago for over 17 years with a practice focused on children and adults with craniofacial differences, as well as research to discover therapies for these patients. 

Purchase your copy of Computer-Assisted Planning in Craniofacial Surgery, 1st Edition here!