Three-dimensional analysis of nasolabial soft tissue changes after Le Fort I osteotomy: a systematic review of the literature

A systematic review was conducted to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) effect of Le Fort I osteotomy on the nasolabial soft tissues. The literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE (accessed via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane electronic databases until January 2018. A total of 333 studies were identified (PubMed, n = 292; Embase, n = 41; Cochrane Library, n = 0). Seventeen met the inclusion criteria. The studies were essentially retrospective. The risk of bias was considered high in 15 studies, medium in one study, and low in one study. 3D soft tissue analysis was performed at least 6 months after surgery (mean 8.3 months). The main image acquisition technique reported was cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), associated or not with 3D photography. Approximately 50% of the studies performed two-jaw surgery, 25% performed maxillary surgery only, and the other 25% included heterogeneous intervention groups. The most reported nasolabial changes were anterior and lateral movements of the nasomaxillary soft tissues and upper lip, together with anterior and superior movement of the nasal tip. The alar cinch suture and V–Y closure technique seemed to have little effect in counteracting the undesirable postoperative nasolabial changes. CBCT superimposition presented a reliable 3D assessment for simultaneous measurement of skeletal and soft tissue changes.