[The development of osteoplastic surgery in Germany between 1919 and 1939]

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science

Context:

• Mandibular defects pose significant challenges in reconstructive surgery.
• Early 20th-century surgical techniques for bone defect reconstruction were limited.
• The development of osteoplastic surgery aimed to improve outcomes for mandibular reconstruction.

Purpose:

• To detail historical osteoplastic surgery techniques for mandible defect closure.
• To describe graft harvesting, placement, and immobilization methods.
• To evaluate early infection-resistant approaches in mandibular reconstruction.

Summary:

• The dissertation focuses on osteoplastic surgery for mandibular defect closure, covering surgical techniques, graft procedures, and graft types from 1919-1939.
• It introduces two infection-resistant approaches: Erich Lexer's two-stage procedure and Georg Axhausen's modified technique, which reduced healing time.
• Graft immobilization methods varied, including periosteal envelopes and wire sutures (Axhausen's method), with mandibular splinting being standard.

Impact:

• The work highlights the evolution of surgical strategies for mandibular reconstruction.
• It underscores the significance of infection control in bone grafting procedures.
• The described historical techniques provide context for modern reconstructive advancements.