Facial Surgery in the AI Era: Integrating Function, Aesthetics, and Patient-Centered Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

The field of facial surgery has witnessed remarkable advancements over the past few decades, driven by technological innovations, interdisciplinary approaches, and an increased emphasis on patient-centered care. As the discipline evolves, novel technologies – including artificial intelligence – and collaborative strategies have not only improved the correction of dentofacial deformities but also reshaped patient expectations and the evaluation of surgical success. Patient satisfaction, encompassing functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes, has become a cornerstone in evaluating the effectiveness of surgical procedures.

Despite this progress, significant gaps remain in the literature regarding standardized methodologies to measure satisfaction and quality of life postoperatively. This gap presents a unique opportunity for research, particularly with the application of tools such as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs), and FACE-Q instruments, which have shown promise in capturing patient perspectives, though their integration into routine clinical practice is still evolving.

In this Special Issue, we seek to explore innovative approaches in facial surgery with a special emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence in clinical practice. AI-driven technologies are revolutionizing the personalization of treatment plans—from advanced predictive analytics and image analysis to enhanced surgical planning—thereby contributing to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. Furthermore, AI can play a pivotal role in standardizing data collection and analysis data, and other patient-centered measures.

We invite researchers, clinicians, surgeons, engineers, and data scientists to contribute case series, original research, comprehensive reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that highlight new strategies to enhance patient satisfaction and quality of life. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evaluating Patient-Reported Outcomes: Utilization of PROMs, PREMs, FACE-Q, and other validated tools to assess patient satisfaction and quality of life before and after surgical interventions.
• Digital Surgical Planning and AI Integration: The impact of computer-aided surgical simulation (CASS) and AI-enhanced planning tools on surgical precision and patient outcomes compared to traditional methods.
• Artificial Intelligence in Facial Surgery: Applications of AI in predictive analytics, personalized surgical planning, automated image analysis, and outcome measurement to optimize treatment protocols.
• Multidimensional Approaches to Satisfaction: Integration of functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes in assessing the success of both orthognathic and aesthetic facial procedures.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Promoting cooperative efforts among surgeons, orthodontists, radiologists, engineers, and data scientists to foster innovative solutions and improve patient care.
• Addressing Unmet Expectations: Strategies for managing patient expectations preoperatively and understanding sources of dissatisfaction postoperatively.
• Long-term Follow-Up Studies: Evaluating the stability of outcomes and patient satisfaction over extended periods.

This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and patient-centered care in facial surgery by embracing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Contributions will not only enhance our understanding of patient experiences but also provide actionable insights to optimize surgical protocols and improve overall patient satisfaction in this new era of technology-driven healthcare.

We look forward to your valuable submissions.

Dr. Giuseppe Consorti
Guest Editor

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• facial surgery
• artificial intelligence (AI)
• digital surgical planning
• orthognathic surgery
• head and neck surgery
• craniofacial surgery
• facial trauma and surgery
• facial fracture
• reconstructive surgery