Alexander Schramm is a distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon, currently serving as Medical Director of the Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Clinic Ulm, Germany.

He has made substantial contributions to translational and clinical research in his area of expertise, particularly in the integration of advanced technologies including computer-assisted surgical planning, CAD/CAM-based patient-specific implants, and intraoperative navigation systems for high-precision reconstruction of the mandibular and craniofacial skeleton.

Alexander has a long-standing and valued association with the AO, encompassing significant roles in both education and innovation translation. To mark his recent appointment as Chairperson of the Technical Commission CMF, we asked him about technological advances in CMF surgery, the enduring value of the AO TC, and his vision for the coming years.

Alexander, as a dedicated surgeon and Medical Director of CMF Surgery at the University Clinic of Ulm, Germany, your days are already full. What motivates you to give your time and expertise to the AO Technical Commission?

The AO Foundation has had a profound impact on my professional development and on the evolution of cranio-maxillofacial surgery worldwide. Throughout my career, I have benefited from AO’s commitment to innovation, education, and evidence-based patient care. Serving on the AO Technical Commission is an opportunity to give back to an organization that has shaped our specialty and to contribute to the development of future treatment concepts. 

What motivates me most is the possibility of improving patient outcomes on a global scale. Through the Technical Commission, we can help identify unmet clinical needs, support meaningful innovation, and ensure that new technologies address real challenges faced by surgeons and patients. I see this as a responsibility as well as a privilege.

Emerging topics in CMF surgery include patient-specific solutions, digital workflows, and minimally invasive techniques. How would you focus the efforts of the AO TC CMF over the next few years?

CMF surgery is undergoing a remarkable transformation driven by digitalization, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, and patient-specific technologies. I believe the AO TC CMF should continue to be at the forefront of these developments while maintaining a strong focus on clinical relevance and scientific validation.

Over the next few years, I would prioritize three areas:

1. Patient-specific solutions, including virtual surgical planning, custom implants, and personalized reconstruction strategies.
2. Digital workflows, integrating imaging, planning, navigation, robotics, and data-driven decision-making into routine clinical practice.
3. Less invasive and function-preserving approaches, aimed at reducing morbidity while maintaining or improving outcomes.

At the same time, we must ensure that innovation remains accessible, reproducible, and supported by robust clinical evidence.

How do you see the AO Technical Commission’s role in bringing innovative ideas through to safe and effective clinical practice?

The Technical Commission plays a unique role as a bridge between clinical needs, scientific research, and technological development. Innovation alone is not enough; it must ultimately improve patient care in a safe, effective, and reproducible way.

Our responsibility is to critically evaluate new concepts, guide their development through rigorous testing, and ensure that they are supported by appropriate evidence before widespread adoption. The AO’s multidisciplinary network allows us to assess innovations from different perspectives and to develop solutions that are not only technically advanced but also clinically meaningful.

In this sense, the Technical Commission serves as both an incubator for innovation and a guardian of quality and patient safety.

The Technical Commission operates at the interface of clinical expertise and technology development—how do you view the role of collaboration with industry while maintaining AO’s independence and credibility?

Collaboration with industry is essential for translating ideas into practical solutions that can benefit patients. Many of the advances that have transformed CMF surgery would not have been possible without strong partnerships between clinicians, engineers, and industry partners.

At the same time, AO’s credibility is built on scientific integrity, independence, and a clear commitment to patient welfare. Maintaining these principles is non-negotiable. The strength of the AO model lies in its ability to foster productive collaboration while ensuring that clinical decisions and development priorities are driven by patient needs and scientific evidence rather than commercial interests.

Transparency, rigorous evaluation, and adherence to AO’s values will remain fundamental to every collaboration.

Finally, Alexander, what is your vision for the AO Technical Commission CMF under your leadership?

My vision is for the AO Technical Commission CMF to remain the leading global platform for innovation in cranio-maxillofacial surgery. I would like to strengthen our role as a catalyst for transformative technologies while preserving the principles that have made AO successful for decades: excellence, collaboration, education, and evidence-based practice.
I envision a Technical Commission that actively shapes the future of CMF surgery through international collaboration, embraces emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital surgery, and develops solutions that improve outcomes for patients around the world.

Most importantly, I want the AO TC CMF to continue fostering a culture of curiosity, scientific rigor, and teamwork—bringing together experienced experts and the next generation of leaders to define the future of our specialty.

Our warm thanks to Alexander for sharing his thoughts with us. We wish him well in his new role!