Case of Elongation of the Under Jaw and Distortion of the Face and Neck. The American Journal of Dental Science. Vol 9, No 2. January 1849

Orthognathic surgery is considered to be one of the foundations of maxillofacial surgery. It is an area unique to the maxillofacial surgeon. Its early evolution is often credited to Vilray Blair, MD, the famed St. Louis plastic surgeon who, in conjunction with Edward Angle, developed organized orthognathic surgery. The most significant developments in twentieth century orthognathic surgery were based in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, specifically involving Wassermund, Trauner, and Obwegeser, to name a few. What is often overlooked is the true origin of orthognathic surgery: Wheeling, Virginia, in 1847 (now Wheeling, West Virginia), by the surgeon Simon P. Hullihen, MD, DDS. Hullihen performed the first documented case of an osteotomy on the mandible to treat a malocclusion. While this was a post-traumatic surgery, this paper is considered to be the original written work describing what is now known as orthognathic surgery.