2024 Chang Gung Forum
Authors: Dr. Tso-Yang Yeh and Dr. Chia-Pei Tsai
This year’s Craniofacial Academic Forum was held from October 28 to 30 at the Research Building of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The conference attracted experts and scholars from Taiwan and abroad, covering diverse topics such as cleft lip and palate, craniofacial trauma, and orthognathic surgery. The theme, "Harmony in Cleft and Maxillofacial Care: Unifying Paths to Comprehensive Management," provided a valuable platform for academic exchange. The forum featured keynote speeches by top speakers and was organized with the support of students and faculty from our Craniofacial and Dental Medicine Program.
The forum welcomed several renowned international scholars, including Prof. Lun-Jou Lo, a plastic surgeon; Dr. Chien-Tzung Chen, Director of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and professor of Trauma Plastic Surgery; Prof. Yu-Ray Chen of craniofacial surgery; Prof. Chiung-Shing Huang of orthodontics; along with orthodontic and plastic surgery specialists from Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, and the United States. The agenda covered a wide array of topics, from cleft lip and palate repair to orthognathic surgery, craniofacial anomalies, tumor reconstruction, and trauma treatment. The format included keynote lectures, discussions, workshops, free papers, and poster sessions, fostering collaboration among international scholars.
Hands-on Workshops and Clinical Interactions
On the first afternoon, two engaging workshops organized by program faculty and students took place. Dr. Chien-Jung Pai led the “Pre-operative Nasoalveolar Molding (PNAM)” workshop, demonstrating various PNAM techniques on unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate models. Another workshop led by Dr. Eric JW Liou, titled “Application of Bite Raiser Treatment in Growing/Non-growing Patients,” involved hands-on demonstrations of orthodontic wire bending on models, which attracted significant interest from orthodontists.
The second afternoon featured the “OGS Planning” workshop, co-led by Dr. Ellen Wen-Ching Ko, Dr. Yu-Fang Liao, and Prof. Chiung-Shing Huang. Participants were grouped to perform simulated surgical planning, followed by reporting and discussion on different cases. Prof. Huang provided detailed feedback for each case, sparking lively discussions. The workshop emphasized technical details and promoted cross-disciplinary collaboration between orthodontists and surgeons.
Cultural Activities and Academic Discussions
The first evening included a banquet at the Fullon Hotel, and the second night offered participants a “Taipei Night” event with dinner at the Grand Hotel. These cultural activities allowed attendees to appreciate Taiwan's natural beauty and culture, sample authentic Taiwanese cuisine, and deepen their understanding of Taiwan beyond academic exchange.
Final Keynote and Academic Conclusion
On the last day, Prof. Chiung-Shing Huang delivered a keynote titled “Surgery First, Face First, Smile First,” reflecting on the development of the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center and highlighting research achievements of the Craniofacial and Dental Medicine Program. He emphasized the importance of the "surgery first" concept in the international craniofacial and orthodontic fields. The final panel discussion saw enthusiastic participation from scholars worldwide, who delved into key issues raised during the forum. Multiple international experts shared their perspectives, bringing the forum to a successful close.
Summary and Outlook
The forum offered an abundance of knowledge and clinical experience, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and an international perspective in craniofacial medicine research. The Chang Gung Forum not only promoted academic exchange but also set an international benchmark for Taiwan's development in craniofacial medicine.
