Drawing in craniofacial surgery: cognitive, educational, and communicative roles
Abstract
Drawing has long accompanied surgical training and practice. In craniofacial surgery - where three-dimensional deformities and long treatment pathways are common - drawing may support observation, operative planning, documentation, education, communication, and psychosocial care. This article reviews historical perspectives and contemporary literature, highlighting drawing - including emerging digital approaches - as a complementary, pragmatic, and patient-centred tool in modern craniofacial practice. It also considers emerging digital and AI-supported tools and proposes directions for future research on learning, communication, and patient experience.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Anatomy and Medical Technology
Digital Imaging in Medicine
Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 17–22
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN