The Evolution of the Archives of Facial Plastic SurgeryThe Evolution of Arch Facial Plast Surg

As we begin our second decade of publication, the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery has evolved but maintained its original vision. Two significant articles in this issue epitomize our mission to “promote the art and science of facial plastic surgery by publishing significant peer-reviewed articles in all aspects of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the head and neck.” The first article—“The Technical and Anatomical Aspects of the World's First Near-Total Human Face and Maxilla Transplant” by Alam and colleagues¹ —presents the first successful combined face and maxilla transplant, which was performed on a patient who had undergone 23 previous reconstructive procedures. It is appropriate that the complexities of the anatomical analysis and surgical execution are first published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. This article will be discussed in JAMA as a “From the Archives” feature.

The second article—“Long-term Use and Follow-up of Irradiated Homologous Costal Cartilage Grafts in the Nose”² —epitomizes the meticulous clinical observation that we all should strive to achieve in our practices. Rhinoplasty is characterized as a “4-dimensional” operation. In addition to the form, structure, and function in 3-dimensional space, one must consider and analyze the results over time. Eugene M. Tardy, MD, was an early and eloquent advocate of long-term follow-up with precise documentation. Russell W. H. Kridel, MD, and colleagues performed a meticulous study of 357 patients with a 24-year follow-up. This study by Kridel et al² is important not only for the standard it sets in careful clinical evaluation but also for the importance of the subject. Their results will cause many to reevaluate the role of irradiated cartilage in their practices. We congratulate Kridel and his coauthors for a landmark study.

As we strive to fulfill our mission statement to publish “the most accurate information available,” the quality of the clinical science in our manuscripts becomes progressively more important. Facial plastic surgery is an art and craft, but results must be reported based on sound clinical science. Our editorial processes are continually refined to select those manuscripts that reflect both innovative procedures and validated outcomes. One of the best clinical scientists in our field is John S. Rhee, MD, MPH. He has contributed immensely as a reviewer and editorial board member, and in this issue he becomes our Deputy Editor. In his new position he will continue to help the editorial board design policies and make decisions to further improve the scientific quality of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. Thank you, Dr Rhee, and congratulations on your new position.

The Internet has become increasingly integral to the presentation of our scientific content. It provides particular benefit to a visual and technically oriented specialty such as ours. Sam P. Most, MD, our Web Editor, has worked with Margaret A. Winker, MD, Director of Scientific Online Resources, to maximize the Web experience for our readers. A recent innovation is the new feature “Techniques in Facial Plastic Surgery,” which will link video and multimedia pages from the “white space” of the journal. This is a space left empty, for example, at the end of an article. We will now be able to use this for a graphic and brief description in the print journal and for a link to a multimedia presentation online.

An important aspect of our mission is to “promote the education and contributions of physicians worldwide.” The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery rhinoplasty course held in Seattle this year demonstrated not only the passion and commitment facial plastic surgeons feel for rhinoplasty but also the international scope of that commitment. A series of commentaries on rhinoplasty around the globe highlights the science and techniques as well as the regional variation of this procedure, which provides endless challenge and fascination to us all.

I would like to thank our dedicated Editorial Board and particularly my Associate Editors, Peter Hilger, MD, and Ira Papel, MD, for their invaluable assistance. Our Archives staff are the best on the planet, and we are fortunate to work closely with Cheryl Iverson, Paula Glitman, Lauren Fischer, Dee Egger, John McFadden, Don Smith, and Karen Boyd in Chicago as well as Jan Thyng in Seattle. Our deepest thanks to them all for making the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery the premier journal in facial plastic surgery.

Correspondence: Dr Larrabee, Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 600 Broadway, Ste 280, Seattle, WA 98122 (archfacial@jama-archives.org).