Surgeons from all over the world were gathered at Hospital da Luz Learning Health, from 16 to 18 March, for an advanced course on surgical techniques to treat severe maxillofacial malformations or defects. The course was promoted by the AO Foundation – the major association of surgeons in the world – and is directed by Alberto Rocha Pereira , the coordinator of the services of Plastic Surgery at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and Hospital da Luz Torres de Lisboa. The AO CMF European Course – Craniofacial surgery focusing on distraction osteogenesis is a theoretical-practical training in craniofacial surgery with a focus on osteogenic distraction. Along two and a half days, at the clinical Simulation Centre of Hospital da Luz Learning Health, the 26 participant surgeons: Learned the best practices in distraction osteogenesis of the mandible, jaw bone and cranial vault; Had the opportunity to practice with dry bones for each anatomical region; Based on clinical cases, they trained the use of extraction devices and the application of materials in models; Had interactive practical sessions for the virtual (through computer) planning of a surgery; Discussed with the course trainers, in small workgroups, practical questions, concerning the main distraction topics. This course was provided with 8 trainers certified by the AO Foundation (from the USA, Israel, Spain and Portugal) and was destined to surgeons in early career or experienced surgeons who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge in distraction osteogenesis and craniofacial reconstruction. The 26 participants come from all over the world. “We are very excited about sharing knowledge and surgical experience with some of the best surgeons in the world working in this field. Two and a half days of intensive work await us, but very rewarding, as it will contribute to helping more surgeons to help more patients around the world who need this type of reconstructive treatment”, stated Alberto Rocha Pereira. The surgeon is the director of the training courses organized by the international group of specialists in maxillofacial surgery of the AO Foundation, a restricted group that follows-up the advances in reconstructive surgery of the face, proposing projects of research and development of new distracting devices or innovating surgical techniques, and includes the most renowned surgeons in the world in this area. The AO Foundation has around 215 thousand associated surgeons and organizes every year about 830 training courses, across all continents, besides publishing books and articles for continuous medical education in scientific journals of global impact, and developing research projects involving the top international hospital centres. In the photo bellow, the group of trainers and trainees of the AO CMF European Course - Craniofacial surgery focusing on distraction osteogenesis.
