Oral Maxillofacial Surg Clin N Am 20 (2008) xixii

Preface

Eric J. Dierks, DMD, MD, FACS

R. Bryan Bell, DDS, MD, FACS

Guest Editors

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. Abigail Adams (17441818)

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons denes oral and maxillofacial surgery as the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and neck [emphasis added]. In preparing this issue of the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinics of North America, we recognize that the training of American oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the surgical and nonsurgical management of conditions aecting the neck is varied. We also recognize that our relatively young surgical specialty continues to mature as it advances the education of its members through formal fellowship training in head and neck oncologic surgery, cranio-maxillofacial trauma, pediatric cleft and craniofacial surgery, and esthetic surgery. As the profession matures, there is and will be a need for all oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be familiar with, if

not procient in, the management of a wide variety of cervical disorders. The neck contains seven dierent organ systems and is one of the most complex anatomic regions in the human body. Any or all of these systems may be aected by a variety of congenital, developmental, and acquired abnormalities, so an interdisciplinary approach to treatment often is necessary. Multiple surgical specialties overlap in this critical area; in addition to oral and maxillofacial surgery they include otolaryngology, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and thoracic surgery, as well as general surgery and its subspecialties of vascular, trauma, and endocrine surgery. To provide a contemporary and concise review of cervical disorders, we have invited practitioners of a number of these allied disciplines whose areas of expertise complement those of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to contribute their experience. We are deeply indebted to all the authors for their excellent and timely contributions and gratefully acknowledge the sacrice of time and energy that is necessary to generate a quality product.

1042-3699/08/$ - see front matter 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.coms.2008.04.006

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PREFACE

To whom much is given, much is expected. Both of us have been fortunate in our personal and professional lives to be surrounded by individuals who have made indelible impressions on us through their condence, industry, mentorship, friendship, support, and love. We are each beholden to our professional fathers: Don A. Hay, Gene R. Huebner, Timothy A. Turvey, Raymond P. White, Bryce E. Potter, and Eric J. Dierks (RBB), and to Edwin Granite, Brian Alpert, and William Meyerho (EJD). We thank our colleagues, Leon Assael, Robert Myall, Kevin Arce, William B. Long, for their guidance and support; and our parents, William and Sherry Bell and Al and Harriett Dierks, for their stimulation and inspiration. To our wives, Heidi Bell and Barbara Dierks, we owe everything.

Eric J. Dierks, DMD, MD, FACS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Oregon Health & Science University Head and Neck Surgical Associates 1849 NW Kearney, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97209 E-mail address: dierksej@hnsa1.com R. Bryan Bell, DDS, MD, FACS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Oregon Health & Science University Head and Neck Surgical Associates 1849 NW Kearney, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97209 E-mail address: bellb@hnsa1.com