Stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy with anterior internal fixation alone: a case series.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case series was to evaluate the late postsurgical stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy with anterior internal fixation alone and no posterior zygomaticomaxillary buttress internal fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with maxillary vertical hyperplasia and mandibular retrognathia underwent a 1-piece Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla with superior repositioning and advancement or setback. A bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular advancement was also performed in 22 patients. Stabilization of each maxillary osteotomy was achieved using transosseous stainless steel wires and/or 3-hole titanium miniplates in the piriform aperture region bilaterally, with no zygomaticomaxillary buttress internal fixation. (Twelve of the 60 identified patients were available for a late postoperative radiographic evaluation.) Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively (T1), early postoperatively (T2), and late postoperatively (T3) to analyze skeletal movement. RESULTS: These 12 patients (5 male, 7 female) had a mean age of 24.5 years at surgery. Mean time from surgery to T2 was 41.2 days; mean time from surgery to T3 was 14.8 months. One patient received anterior wire osteosynthesis fixation, while 11 patients received both anterior titanium miniplate internal skeletal fixation and anterior wire osteosynthesis fixation. Six patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with genioplasty, 1 patient underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and 5 patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and genioplasty. These 12 patients all underwent maxillary superior repositioning with either advancement (11 patients) or setback (1 patient). Statistically significant surgical (T2-T1) changes were found in all variables measured. In late postsurgical measurements (T3-T2), all landmarks in the horizontal and vertical plane showed statistically significant skeletal stability. CONCLUSION: This case series suggests that anterior internal fixation alone in cases of 1-piece Le Fort I maxillary superior repositioning with advancement has good late postoperative skeletal stability.     

唇腭裂患者牵张成骨术后的侧貌变化

目的：通过对唇腭裂术后继发上颌骨发育不足患者进行口外支架式前牵张治疗术后6～24个月的随访,观察分析其侧貌变化,为合理使用牵张器提供参考。方法：选取1998—2002年间上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院进行牵张成骨治疗、按时随访的唇腭裂患者14例进行术后随访分析。随访期分别为术后3、6、12、24个月,分别拍摄头颅定位侧位片及照片,记录患者的侧貌变化。结果：14例患者在牵张成骨术后6个月,至术后24个月,3例表现为双颌前突畸形,3例仍表现为面中部凹陷,1例表现为前牙开。结论：牵张成骨术治疗唇腭裂术后上颌骨发育不足患者具有一定优势,但牵张方向及牵张量难以控制,术后侧貌时不尽满意。因此,唇腭裂患者继发上颌骨发育不足在行牵张成骨术治疗时,应综合考虑多种因素的影响。     

Stability after Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft lip and palate patients

Le Fort I osteotomies were performed in 20 patients with cleft lip and palate as a one-segment movement, and the fragments were fixed with miniplates without bone grafting. Tracings of preoperative and serial postoperative lateral cephalograms were used to determine changes in maxillary position. The posterior nasal spine, not subjected to extensive changes during surgical procedures and remodeling, was found to be the most reliable landmark for measuring maxillary advancement and stability. The mean maxillary advancement was 5.96 mm. Analysis did not reveal significant changes in linear and angular measurements from immediately postoperative to 6 months postoperative. A modest maxillary advancement by Le Fort I osteotomy, along with alleviation of palatal scar tissue tension and miniplate fixation, is a stable surgical method in patients with cleft lip and palate.     

What is the relapse after Le Fort I maxillary advancement in cleft lip and palate patients? A systematic review

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Le Fort I osteotomy is the most common procedure for maxillary advancement in cleft patients, and a significant relapse is expected in the postoperative period....     

A pilot study of the effects of transpalatal maxillary advancement on velopharyngeal closure in cleft palate patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Impaired velopharyngeal closure function is sometimes a complication of a standard Le Fort I maxillary advancement in cleft palate patients. The transpalatal Le Fort I osteotomy has been suggested as an alternative technique that may avoid this problem. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of the transpalatal approach on velopharyngeal function in a series of cleft palate patients. PATIENTS: Sixteen consecutive patients with a history of cleft palate exhibiting maxillary hypoplasia who underwent a transpalatal Le Fort I osteotomy. METHODS: All patients had a simultaneous audio/video speech recording and nasopharyngoscopy examination prior to maxillary advancement, followed by a repeat of the same examinations at least 1 year post-operatively. Velopharyngeal function was measured in two ways: by direct observation using nasopharyngoscopy, and indirectly by means of perceptual assessment. Reliability studies of the two measures were performed with satisfactory results. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-operative data in either the perceptual speech assessment or nasopharyngoscopy examination. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that maxillary advancement by transpalatal Le Fort I osteotomy does not adversely affect velopharyngeal closure function.     

Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft patients: Maxillary advancement and velopharyngeal function

BackgroundMaxillary advancement may affect speech in cleft patients.AimsTo evaluate whether the amount of maxillary advancement in Le Fort I osteotomy affects velopharyngeal function (VPF) in cleft patients.MethodsNinety-three non-syndromic cleft patients (51 females, 42 males) were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had undergone a Le Fort I or bimaxillary (n = 24) osteotomy at Helsinki Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center.Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized to measure the amount of maxillary advancement. Pre- and postoperative speech was assessed perceptually and instrumentally by experienced speech therapists. Student's t-test and Mann–Whitney's U-test were used in the statistical analyses. Kappa statistics were calculated to assess reliability.ResultsThe mean advancement of A point was 4.0 mm horizontally (range: −2.8–11.3) and 3.9 mm vertically (range −14.2–3.9). Although there was a negative change in VPF, the amount of maxillary horizontal or vertical movement did not significantly influence the VPF. There was no difference between the patients with maxillary and bimaxillary osteotomy.ConclusionsThe amount of maxillary advancement does not affect the velopharyngeal function in cleft patients.     

上颌前徙术对上颌发育不足患者腭咽部结构影响的临床探讨

目的：探讨上颌前移术对上颌发育不足患者腭咽部结构的影响。方法：选择2011-2013年行上颌Le FortI型截骨前移术的上颌发育不足患者12例,男7例,女5例,其中唇腭裂患者5例,非唇腭裂患者7例,平均年龄22．21岁,所有患者在术前、术后1月拍摄头颅定位侧位片,并对腭咽部结构指标进行测量分析。结果：上颌骨最大前移幅度8mill,最小3mm,平均前移（5．28±2．32）mm,术后咽腔深度明显增大（P〈0．05）;同时软腭长度及软硬腭夹角较术前11月显增大（P〈0．05）,软腭厚度减小。结论：上颌骨前移术造成患者咽腔深度显著增加,对腭咽闭合功能可能有不利影响：术后腭叫部软组织发生适应性变化,这种代偿性改变会在一定程度上减轻腭咽闭合不全。     

Maxillary distraction resulting in facial advancement at Le Fort III level in cleft lip and palate patients: a report of two cases

An 18-year-old female and a 14-year-old male who had previously received surgery for primary repair of a nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (including alveolar defect bone grafting) unintentionally developed facial advancement at the Le Fort III level after surgical correction of their maxillary hypoplasia. The Le Fort I osteotomy, originally performed for their maxillary dentoalveolar hypoplasia, was an incomplete osteotomy. It was performed without down-fracture, leaving the pterygomaxillary and septal junctions intact. The gradual advancement of the maxilla during distraction osteogenesis was planned to correct the hypoplastic maxilla, and also prevent subsequent hypernasality; however, during the distraction procedure by means of a rigid external device both patients developed an unintentional facial advancement at the Le Fort III level.     

Static and dynamic loading of mandibular condyles and their positional changes after bilateral sagittal split advancement osteotomies

This study analysed the effects of change of direction of masseter (MAS) and medial pterygoid muscles (MPM) and changes of moment arms of MAS, MPM and bite force on static and dynamic loading of the condyles after surgical mandibular advancement. Rotations of the condyles were assessed on axial MRIs. 16 adult patients with mandibular hypoplasia were studied. The mandibular plane angle (MPA) was <39° in Group I (n=8) and >39° in Group II (n=8). All mandibles were advanced with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). In Group II, BSSO was combined with Le Fort I osteotomy. Pre and postoperative moment arms of MAS, MPM and bite force were used in a two-dimensional model to assess static loading of the condyles. Pre and postoperative data on muscle cross-sectional area, volume and direction were introduced in three-dimensional dynamic models of the masticatory system to assess the loading of the condyles during opening and closing. Postsurgically, small increases of static condylar loading were calculated. Dynamic loading decreased slightly. Minor rotations of the condyles were observed. The results do not support the idea that increased postoperative condylar loading is a serious cause for condylar resorption or relapse.     

Simultaneous hybrid of maxillary Le Fort I halo distraction and mandibular set-back for patients with severe cleft jaw deformity

One of the surgical tactics and retrospective chart review of clinical cases are described for severe maxillo-mandibular discrepancy. The recently developed Le Fort I Halo distraction combined with mandibular sagittal splitting osteotomy is initially carried out simultaneously. Materials include six adult patients revealing severe jaw deformity with mandibular prognathism somehow ranging from 17-19 years of age. The required adjustment of the maxillo-mandibular discrepancy ranged from 14-23 mm to obtain the preferred occlusion. The simultaneous combination of over 10-mm maxillary Le Fort I Halo distraction with mandibular set-back secured rigidly by sagittal splitting was accomplished. The amount of mandibular set-back ranged from 4-6 mm. The amount of maxillary Le Fort I halo distraction ranged from 10-17 mm (Table I). The retention period of the halo brace was 21-22 days. In addition, the Delair type of face mask was used for 3-4 months as a night splint for consolidation after removal of the halo brace. Satisfactory maxillary distraction and mandibular set-back as planned preoperatively was obtained in all six cases. No particular postoperative complications were noticed. Compared with standard Le Fort I advancement for cleft patients, more advancement can be obtained easily with halo distration, particularly in cases where a large amount of advancement > 10 mm is required. This combination is worthwhile for a severe cleft jaw deformity, and is an alternative for standard double jaw osteotomy.     

Strategies for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion according to the region of transverse maxillary deficiency

This study evaluated different techniques for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency using computed tomography (CT). Six adult patients with bilateral transverse maxillary deficiencies underwent SARME. The patients were equally divided into three groups: Group I, maxillary atresia in both the anterior and posterior regions; Group II, greater maxillary atresia in the anterior region; and Group III, increased maxillary atresia in the posterior region. In Group I, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used. In Group II, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used without pterygomaxillary suture disjunction. In Group III, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used with pterygomaxillary suture disjunction and fixation of the anterior nasal spine with steel wire. The midpalatal suture opening was evaluated preoperatively and immediately after the activation period using CT. For Group I, the opening occurred parallel to midpalatal suture; for Group II, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex on the posterior nasal spine; and for Group III, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex at the anterior nasal spine. The conclusion was that the SARME technique should be individualized according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency.     

The modified Le Fort III osteotomy in the correction of mid-facial deficiency. Case reports

Maxillary hypoplasia is a common diagnosis in the spectrum of dentofacial deformities and is usually corrected by a Le Fort I maxillary advancement osteotomy. The modified Le Fort III osteotomy enables correction of mid-face hypoplasia where the maxillary hypoplasia is associated with infraorbital and zygomatic deficiency. This procedure is described and illustrated in two case reports. It is considered to be a superior technique to the maxillary osteotomy and onlay procedure and is recommended for use in selected patients.     

颌骨畸形600例正颌手术治疗

目的 总结正颌外科矫正颌骨畸形的临床经验。方法 对600例颌骨畸形患者进行正颌外科手术,其中上颌Le FortⅠ截骨与下颌体部截骨术212例,单纯上颌Le Fort Ⅰ截骨56例,单纯双下颌升支矢状劈开截骨(SSRO)30例,下颌体部截骨145例,行Downfracture或Wassmund法矫治112例,下颌前突伴偏颌畸形行下颌体部截骨45例。结果 60X例中术后部分复发28例,完全复发2例,下唇感觉异常9例,术后感染6例,其余术后面容和咀嚼功能获得满意效果。结论 上颌Le Fort Ⅰ截骨与下颌体部截骨术能较好地矫正上颌后缩及下颌前突畸形,但牙颌关系恢复不良。前牙根尖下截骨是纠正双颌前突畸形的理想术式,SSRO矫正下颌前突畸形效果满意。     

牵引成骨术治疗青少年上颌骨严重发育不足的初步报告

目的 通过青少年上颌骨严重发育不足,特别是继发于唇腭裂术后严重畸形者行改良Ｌｅ Ｆｏｒｔ Ｉ型截骨,并通过颅骨外固定上颌骨牵引成骨前移术,对牵引成骨后硬组织改建及腭咽闭合功能进行初步探讨。方法 采用颅骨外固定牵引装置（ＫＬＳ－ＭＡＲＴＩＮ公司提供）对６例１１～１５岁唇腭裂术后继发上颌骨严重发育不足及发育性上颌骨严重后缩畸形的青少年实施牵引成骨术。运用正颌外科电脑分析软件对术前、术后头颅定位Ｘ线侧位     

Le FortⅠ型骨切开上颌骨整体后退术矫治骨性Ⅱ类上颌骨前突畸形

目的：探讨Le Fort Ⅰ型骨切开（Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy）上颌骨整体后退术在矫治骨性Ⅱ类上颌骨前突畸形中的价值。方法：对16例骨性Ⅱ类上颌前突患者（上颌骨前突伴下颌骨后缩14例,其中同时伴颏后缩6例;单纯上颌骨前突2例）进行外科-正畸联合治疗。患者治疗前头影测量∠ANB为7.0°～13.1°,平均9.3°。行Le Fort Ⅰ型骨切开上颌骨整体后退术,其中14例同期行双侧下颌支矢状骨劈开术（bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy,BSSRO）前移下颌骨,6例行颏成形术（genioplasty）前移颏部。结果：本组行LeFortⅠ型骨切开上颌骨整体后退4～8mm,14例BSSRO下颌骨前移4～7mm,6例颏成形术颏前移6～8mm。1例一侧腭降动脉术中损伤断裂,经结扎处理,无感染及骨块坏死。16例患者伤口均一期愈合。术后及正畸结束后∠ANB为1.6°～3.5°,平均2.9°。结束治疗后随访6～24个月,牙弓形态及[牙合]曲线正常,牙排列整齐,咬合关系良好,外形明显改善,疗效满意。结论：对于骨性Ⅱ类上颌骨前突畸形患者,Le Fort Ⅰ型骨切开上颌骨整体后退术是一种安全、合理、有效的正颌外科术式。     

Postoperative stability following maxillary downward movement with Le Fort I inclined osteotomy at the lateral nasal cavity wall

Downward movement of the maxilla is regarded as one of the less stable long-term orthognathic surgical procedures. To increase postoperative stability with direct bone contact, the conventional Le Fort I osteotomy was modified with an inclined osteotomy at the lateral nasal cavity wall. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative stability of the new method for Le Fort I inclined osteotomy for downward maxillary movement.The study included 27 patients with anterior vertical deficiency of the maxilla who underwent Le Fort I inclined osteotomy for downward maxillary movement. Patients were classified into two groups according to the amount of downward movement. The amounts of relapse (cephalometric changes) of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed.The mean amount of relapse was about 1 mm. The tendency of relapse was not increased by a large initial downward movement with Le Fort I inclined osteotomy. Le Fort I inclined osteotomy was used safely for downward movement in order to increase bone height at the piriform aperture area and resulted in direct bone contact, suggesting it is a useful technique for maintaining postoperative stability. A further study with a larger number of patients is necessary.     

Speech outcome and velopharyngeal function in cleft palate: comparison of Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis--early results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare speech outcome and velopharyngeal (VP) status of subjects with repaired cleft palate who underwent either conventional Le Fort I osteotomy or maxillary distraction osteogenesis to correct maxillary hypoplasia. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study with blind assessment of speech outcome and VP status. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two subjects were randomized into conventional Le Fort I osteotomy and Le Fort I distraction groups. All were native Chinese (Cantonese) speakers. METHOD: Perceptual judgment of resonance and nasal emission, study of VP structures by nasoendoscopy, and instrumental measurement by nasometry. Assessments were performed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of VP closure, perceptual rating of hypernasality and nasal emission, nasalance, and amount of maxillary advancement. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in any of the outcome measures between the 10 subjects with conventional Le Fort I osteotomy and the 12 subjects with maxillary distraction: hypernasality (chi-square = 3.850, p = 0.221), nasal emission (chi-square = 0.687, p = 0.774), VP gap size (chi-square = 1.527, p = 0.635, and nasalance (t = -0.145, p = 0.886). There was no correlation between amount of maxillary advancement and any of the outcome measures (p = .05 for all). Changes in VP gap size and resonance are described. CONCLUSION: Results need to be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size and early follow-up. However, this study utilized an assessment protocol involving a variety of outcome measures and careful consideration of reliability factors, which can be a model for further and follow-up studies.     

Soft tissue changes associated with advancement genioplasty performed concomitantly with superior repositioning of the maxilla

A retrospective study of the osseous and soft tissue changes of the chins of ten patients treated for vertical maxillary excess by Le Fort I osteotomy and advancement genioplasty was undertaken. The patients were characterized by excessive lower anterior facial height, obtuse or normal nasolabial angles, prominent maxillary incisors, lip incompetence, everted lower lips, anterior open bites, lack of chin prominence, and excessive chin height. A change in the proportion of osseous to soft tissue of 1.0 to 0.87 was obtained by advancement genioplasty and concomitant superior repositioning of the maxilla by Le Fort I osteotomy.     

Two-point nasomaxillary fixation of the Le Fort I osteotomy: assessment of stability at one year postoperative

The purpose was to assess maxillary position among patients undergoing Le Fort I maxillary advancement with internal fixation placed only at the nasomaxillary buttresses. This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing a Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement, with internal fixation placed only at the nasomaxillary buttresses. Demographic and cephalometric measures were recorded. The outcome of interest was the change in maxillary position between immediately postoperative (T1), 6 weeks postoperative (T2), and 1 year postoperative (T3). Fifty-eight patients were included as study subjects (32 male, 26 female; mean age 18.4 ± 1.8 years). Twenty-five subjects (43.1%) had a diagnosis of cleft lip and palate. Forty-three subjects (74.1%) had bimaxillary surgery, 16 (27.6%) had bone grafts, and 18 (31.0%) had segmental maxillary osteotomies. At T3, there were no subjects with non-union, malunion, malocclusion, or relapse requiring repeat surgery. Mean linear changes between T1 and T3 were ≤1 mm. Mean angular changes between T1 and T3 were <1°. There was no significant difference in stability in multi-segment maxillary osteotomies (P =  0.22) or with bone grafting (P =  0.31). In conclusion, anterior fixation alone in the Le Fort I osteotomy results in a stable maxillary position at 1 year postoperative.     

Orbitofrontal monobloc advancement for Crouzon syndrome

IntroductionUsually, patients suffering from Crouzon syndrome have synostosis of coronal sutures, exophthalmia, hypertelorism, and hypoplasia of the middle third of face. Sometimes maxillary retrusion is absent, so these patients have class I or II relationship. In these cases, frontofacial monobloc advancement, which is the gold standard, increases the maxillo-mandibular dysmorphia. Therefore we propose orbitofrontal monobloc advancement minus dental arch, without splits of the pterygoid plates.Case reportA 12-year-old girl with Crouzon syndrome had intracranial hypertension, exophthalmia, a middle third retrusion and a class II occlusion. We achieved orbitofrontal monobloc advancement which is frontofacial monobloc advancement minus maxillary dental arch. Four distractors KLS Martin were used. After 20 days of distraction, the final advancement was 10.2 mm for cranial distractors and 10.5 mm at fronto-zygomatic. Distractors were removed after 8 months.DiscussionWe offer patients suffering from Crouzon syndrome with class I or II relationship a change from the classic frontofacial monobloc advancement leaving the maxillary dental arch in place, thus avoiding the worsening of the maxillo-mandibular dysmorphia related to surgery. The idea of associating Le Fort I osteotomy with a frontofacial monobloc advancement or Le Fort III osteotomy has already been described, mainly by Tessier and Obwegeser, however they probably achieved a complete Le Fort I osteotomy while we don't split the pterygoid plates.The patient's morphology and his surgical history determine the choice between Le Fort III and monobloc advancement. Dental occlusion needs to be taken into account for surgical indication.