Harold Delf Gillies: his influence on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

The history of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and facial reconstruction cannot be told without mentioning Dr. Harold Delf Gillies (1882-1960). A New Zealand physician who settled in England, Gillies is widely recognized as the father of modern plastic surgery, having established techniques that became fundamental to the treatment of facial trauma and deformities. In 1927, Gillies first described surgical access through an incision made behind the hairline and over the temporal muscle, allowing access to the zygomatic bone in an innovative and less invasive way. Furthermore, he detailed the use of a small bone elevator, inserted under depressed areas, which allowed the surgeon to use leverage to restore the correct position of the facial bones. These contributions brought technical precision and safety, representing a significant advancement for surgical practice at the time. Remembering the trajectory of Dr. Harold Delf Gillies is to reaffirm the role of innovation and human sensitivity in the practice of surgery. His discoveries resonate to this day, directly influencing contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which draws inspiration from his pioneering vision to continue advancing in reconstructive and functional techniques.