Craniofacial surgery.

Craniofacial surgery is concerned with the treatment of congenital and acquired conditions affecting the head, face and jaws (Tessier, 1971a). Previously these were treated individually by plastic, neurological and faciomaxillary surgeons. This type of surgery was associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality (Goldin, 1975). Following the pioneering work of Dr Paul Tessier in Paris during the mid-1960s, using a multidisciplinary team approach has allowed for more radical treatment of these abnormalities with an acceptable morbidity rate within established craniofacial units (Munro, 1975).