Skeletal and Dental Correction and Stability Following LeFort I Advancement in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Maxillary Hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates skeletal and dental outcomes of LeFort I advancement surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with varying degrees of maxillary skeletal hypoplasia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHOD: Lateral cephalograms were digitized at preoperative (T1), immediately postoperative (T2), and 1-year follow-up (T3) and compared to untreated unaffected controls. Based on the severity of cleft maxillary hypoplasia, the sample was divided into 3 groups using Wits analysis: mild: ≤0 to ≥-5 mm; moderate: <-5 to >-10 mm; and severe: ≤-10 mm. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one patients with nonsyndromic CLP with hypoplastic maxilla who met inclusion criteria. INTERVENTION: LeFort I advancement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Skeletal and dental stability post-LeFort I surgery at a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: At T2, LeFort I surgery produced an average correction of maxillary hypoplasia by 6.4 ± 0.6, 8.1 ± 0.4, and 10.7 ± 0.8 mm in the mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. There was a mean relapse of 1 to 1.5 mm observed in all groups. At T3, no statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical groups and controls at angle Sella, Nasion, A point (SNA), A point, Nasion, B point (ANB), and overjet outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: LeFort I advancement produces a stable correction in mild, moderate, and severe skeletal maxillary hypoplasia. Overcorrection is recommended in all patients with CLP to compensate for the expected postsurgical skeletal relapse.

Simultaneous LeFort III and LeFort I Osteotomies in Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia.

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare genetic disease affecting bone metabolism with sclerosis of craniofacial bones. Orthognathic surgery has rarely been described in this patient population due to the bony thickness, making osteotomies challenging. We present a 19-year-old male with CMD with malocclusion, severe midface hypoplasia, and obstructive sleep apnea. With the aid virtual planning, we safely performed a combined LeFort III/I midface advancement to correct a negative overjet to improve occlusal balance, decrease scleral show, and diminish daytime sleepiness.

Pterygomaxillary Disjunction and its Influence on the Result of Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the available evidence to identify the influence of pterygomaxillary disjunction on the result of surgically assisted maxillary expansion. BACKGROUND: LeFort I type osteotomy with disjunction of the pterygomaxillary suture is a procedure widely used in maxillofacial surgery. However, the need for its performance during surgically assisted maxillary expansions has been discussed in literature, since serious complications can be caused during this stage. REVIEW RESULTS: Systematic review of articles was performed using three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane) published until May 2019. After applying the selection criteria, five articles were included in the systematic review, with a total of 141 patients. Meta-analysis showed the absence of significant difference between intervention and control groups in the preoperative period (standardized mean difference = -0.28; confidence interval, CI 95% = -0.81, 0.26; p = 0.31) and postoperative period (standardized mean difference = -0.12; 95% CI = -0.65, 0.42; p = 0.66). In general, the heterogeneity of statistical estimates was low (I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was observed between control group (without pterygomaxillary disjunction) and intervention group (with pterygomaxillary disjunction). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the data analyzed in this systematic review, it could be concluded that pterygomaxillary disjunction is not a mandatory step to achieve satisfactory maxillary expansion. Thus, not performing pterygomaxillary disjunction can prevent complications and reduce surgical time.

Facial profile and frontal changes after bimaxillary surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Patients are always concerned about their postoperative appearance before surgery for facial deformity correction. The present study investigated the facial profile and frontal changes following two-jaw surgery. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent two-jaw surgery were divided by the amount of mandibular setback (group I: ≤8 mm and group II: >8 mm). Cephalometric radiograms (lateral and frontal) were collected and analyzed at three intervals: preoperatively (T1), immediately postoperatively (T2), and final follow-up (T3). The following points were identified: cheek points (C1-C5), pronasale (Prn, tip of the nose), anterior nasal spine (ANS), subnasal (Sn), point A, labrale superius (Ls), incision superius (Is), labrale inferius (Li), incision inferius (Ii), point B, labiomental sulcus (Si), pogonion (Pog), soft tissue pogonion (PogS), ramus point (RP), and gonion (Go). The immediate postoperative changes (T21), final postoperative changes (T32), and final stability (T31) were calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: In T31, the cheek line showed significant advancements of 2.3 mm (group I) and 1.6 mm (group II). The soft:hard tissue ratios were significantly correlated: Prn:ANS (0.37:1), Prn:A (0.39:1), Sn:A (0.85:1), C3:A (0.82:1), Ls:Is (0.92:1), Li:Ii (0.91:1), Si:B (0.88:1), and PogS:Pog (group I, 0.78:1 and group II, 0.93:1). The intercondylion and intergonial widths of group II (T31) significantly increased 1.8 and 4 mm, respectively. Regarding the postoperative skeletal stability (T32), group I showed significant correlations between amounts of mandibular setback, but group II did not. CONCLUSION: In the facial profile, the cheek line showed significant advancement postoperatively. The frontal mandibular transverse dimensions were significantly increased.

Self-drilling and self-tapping miniscrews for osteosynthesis fixture after LeFort I osteotomy: An ex vivo trial for primary stability and a randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Self-drilling osteosynthesis screws (SDS) have a potential higher primary stability together with clinical advantages such as less time effort compared to self-tapping screws (STS). The aims of the study were to compare the primary stability of SDS and STS ex vivo and to analyze of the time-saving effect in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ex vivo, both screws were placed in porcine bone. Torque was measured for insertion and removal. Four specimens were kept in bone for histologic bone-to-implant-contact examination. In vivo, 49 patients who received orthognathic surgery in the maxilla were included in 2 centers. In a split-mouth design, the time for osteosynthesis fixation and perioperative events were recorded. RESULTS: Ex vivo, insertion and removal torque measurements were higher for SDS, especially in dense bone. Histologic imaging on the exemplary-stained specimens showed higher bone contact and compressed bone matrix for SDS in all bone densities. In vivo, the mean osteosynthesis time in both centers was 5.5 min (±3.03) for SDS and 5.5 min (±2.37) for STS. Separate analysis showed that center I was faster with STS and center II with SDS. Although, in center I a higher rate of failed primary stability of SDS compared to STS was documented. CONCLUSIONS: SDS showed a partially higher primary stability ex vivo, especially in dense bone. The timesaving effect of SDS is less pronounced than expected, but technically SDS might be favorable where drilling is difficult or even impossible.

Computer-assisted preoperative simulation for positioning of plate fixation in Lefort I osteotomy: A case report.

Computed tomography images are used for three-dimensional planning in orthognathic surgery. This facilitates the actual surgery by simulating the surgical scenario. We performed a computer-assisted virtual orthognathic surgical procedure using optically scanned three-dimensional (3D) data and real computed tomography data on a personal computer. It helped maxillary bone movement and positioning and the titanium plate temporary fixation and positioning. This simulated the surgical procedure, which made the procedure easy, and we could perform precise actual surgery and could forecast the postsurgery outcome. This simulation method promises great potential in orthognathic surgery to help surgeons plan and perform operative procedures more precisely.

A report of 2 patients with transient blindness following Le Fort I osteotomy and a review of past reported cases.

Blindness following a LeFort I osteotomy is a rare but extremely serious complication. Ten cases have been reported to date. None of these patients recovered vision. Optic neuropathy is believed to be the cause but the exact mechanism has not been settled. We report the first, and the only two, documented cases of complete loss of vision that recovered subsequently. The first patient was a 19-year-old male with repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate. He developed loss of vision in the right eye on the second postoperative day. The second patient was a 22-year-old male with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate. He developed complete loss of vision in the left eye on the day of surgery. Both these patients underwent ongoing studies, which did not show any abnormalities. Both were treated with methylprednisolone. Both the patients gradually showed improvement in their vision. The first patient recovered normal vision several months postoperatively. The second patient's vision improved to 4/60 by 4 months postoperatively. We discuss the probable mechanisms of optic nerve injury and also the possible reasons why sight was restored in these patients. This is a rare but serious complication following a fairly common procedure. Through this article we wish to create an awareness of this complication and also a possible way of avoiding such a disaster.

Nasal Airflow Dynamics following LeFort I Advancement in Cleft Nasal Deformities: A Retrospective Preliminary Study.

Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) nasal deformity impacts airflow patterns and pressure distribution, leading to nasal breathing difficulties. This study aims to create an integrated approach using computer-aided design (CAD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate airway function and assess outcomes in nasal deformities associated with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) after LeFort I osteotomy advancement. Significant alterations were observed in nasal geometry, airflow velocity, pressure dynamics, volumetric flow rate, and nasal resistance postoperatively, indicating improved nasal airflow. The cross-sectional area increased by 26.6%, airflow rate by 6.53%, and nasal resistance decreased by 6.23%. The study offers quantitative insights into the functional impacts of such surgical interventions, contributing to a deeper understanding of UCLP nasal deformity treatment and providing objective metrics for assessing surgical outcome.

Surgical-orthodontic approach for correcting Vertical Maxillary Excess: Case report.

This report describes a patient with Vertical Maxillary Excess without open bite in whom surgical orthodontic treatment to reduce lower facial height remarkably improved function and facial esthetics. The patient was a 22-year-old male whose main concern was crowding and temporomandibular joint clicking sounds. The clinical and radiological findings led to the diagnosis of Vertical Maxillary Excess with a mild skeletal class II malocclusion. The proposed treatment plan comprised a bimaxillary surgery without premolar extractions. LeFort I osteotomy was planned to reposition the maxilla superiorly by 7-8 mm. This surgery was combined with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular anterior derotation to adjust the mandible to the occlusal and anteroposterior change. Postoperatively, the mandibular plane angle (GoGn-SN) was decreased by 4° and skeletal class I was achieved (ANB, 4°). In addition, lip incompetence was corrected and the excessive gingiva exposure upon smiling was significantly improved. The patient was satisfied with the treatment result and reported the temporomandibular joint clicking sounds disappearing after surgery.

First-Hand Experience and Result with New Robot-Assisted Laser LeFort-I Osteotomy in Orthognathic Surgery: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: We report the world's first developer-independent experience with robot-assisted laser Le Fort I osteotomy (LLFO) and drill-hole marking in orthognathic surgery. To overcome the geometric limitations of conventional rotating and piezosurgical instruments for performing osteotomies, we used the stand-alone robot-assisted laser system developed by Advanced Osteotomy Tools. The aim here was to evaluate the precision of this novel procedure in comparison to the standard procedure used in our clinic using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) cutting guide and patient-specific implant. METHODS: A linear Le-Fort-I osteotomy was digitally planned and transferred to the robot. The linear portion of the Le-Fort I osteotomy was performed autonomously by the robot under direct visual control. Accuracy was analyzed by superimposing preoperative and postoperative computed tomography images, and verified intraoperatively using prefabricated patient-specific implant. RESULTS: The robot performed the linear osteotomy without any technical or safety issues. There was a maximum difference of 1.5 mm on average between the planned and the performed osteotomy. In the robot-assisted intraoperative drillhole marking of the maxilla, which was performed for the first time worldwide, were no measurable deviations between planning and actual positioning. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted orthognathic surgery could be a useful adjunct to conventional drills, burrs, and piezosurgical instruments for performing osteotomies. However, the time required for the actual osteotomy as well as isolated minor design aspects of the Dynamic Reference Frame (DRF), among other things, still need to be improved. Still further studies for final evaluation of safety and accuracy are also needed.

Management of pseudoaneurysms of the internal maxillary artery derived from orthognathic surgery based on one case.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to highlight the risk of pseudoaneurysms formation after orthognathic surgery, their clinical features and management. METHODS: A case report of a 24-year-old man who suffered a pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery after sagittal osteotomy during orthognathic is reported. After three bleeding episodes, a pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed with a computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and treated with an embolization of the internal maxillary artery with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) successfully. RESULTS: Pseudoaneurysms derived from the external carotid artery are an uncommon complication of orthognathic surgery, especially related to sagittal osteotomy instead of LeFort I osteotomy. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysms derived from external carotid artery branches must be suspected when patients show multiple episodes of bleeding (epistaxis or through the surgical approach) within the first two weeks after orthognathic surgery. If so, vascular CT or angiography should be performed to rule out the presence of vascular injuries. In case a pseudoaneurysm is identified, vascular embolization with N-butyl-cyanoacrylate seems to be the best treatment if available. If this treatment is not available or bleeding cannot be controlled, surgical ligature of the injured vessel is a valid treatment.

Rhinoplasty as an Adjunct to Orthognathic Surgery:: A Review.

Orthognathic surgery is a well-recognized method to correct dentofacial deformities. The main goal of orthognathic surgery is to improve soft tissue change. Soft tissue changes to the nose have been well documented. Simultaneous rhinoplasty during orthognathic surgery can be performed to correct existing inherent nasal deformities and also the unfavorable changes that arose from the maxillary surgery. Challenges for concurrent nasal surgery with jaw surgery include preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative which can be overcome with meticulous planning and experience. In complex cases, rhinoplasty can be staged in the last 6 months after the orthognathic surgery.

Is the volume of the maxillary sinus altered after LeFort I orthognathic surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate anatomical changes in the maxillary sinus after LeFort I osteotomy. METHODS: The study protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols, and it was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under registration number CRD42021236412. RESULTS: Our search strategy yielded 64 articles. Of these, 31 were duplicate studies, and 33 were independently reviewed by two authors for eligibility. Of these 33 studies, 24 were excluded as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, nine studies met the criteria for inclusion, and they were critically reviewed. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that maxillary sinus volume decreases after one-piece and multisegment osteotomies in both skeletal class II and class III male and female patients, with one-piece LeFort I osteotomy technique showing a greater reduction in the sinus volume than the multisegment osteotomy technique. The maxillary sinus thickness remained constant postoperatively.

Clinical Evaluation of Modified Technique of Alar Base Cinch Suture to Prevent Widening of Alar Base.

Introduction: Following Lefort I osteotomy, widening of the alar base is the most common secondary postoperative change resulting in deepening of the alar facial groove, which may be unaesthetic. Therefore, various surgical techniques to control lateralization of the alar base have been widely described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cause and to prevent the changes in the nasolabial region, especially excessive widening of the alar base following Lefort I osteotomy by using modified alar base cinch suture. Materials and Method: Twenty patients with the diagnosis of maxillary retrognathism or vertical maxillary excess requiring Lefort I osteotomy with superior repositioning or advancement were included in this prospective, non-randomized clinical study. Following Lefort I osteotomy, the widening of alar base was managed using modified alar base cinch suture. Result: The mean alar width preoperatively was 41.09 ± .38 mm, intra-operatively it was 43.69 ± .28 mm, and after 6 months, it was 41.93 ± .47 mm. Statistical analysis using paired t test revealed that there was a significant change in alar width after placing alar base cinch suture. Discussion: The results of the current study show that the modified alar cinch suture technique is effective in preventing flaring of the alar base in case of Lefort I osteotomies with superior repositioning or advancement.

Role of Three-Dimensional Printing in Treatment Planning for Orthognathic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing refers to a wide range of additive manufacturing processes that enable the construction of structures and models. It has been rapidly adopted for a variety of surgical applications, including the printing of patient-specific anatomical models, implants and prostheses, external fixators and splints, as well as surgical instrumentation and cutting guides. In comparison to traditional methods, 3D-printed models and surgical guides offer a deeper understanding of intricate maxillofacial structures and spatial relationships. This review article examines the utilization of 3D printing in orthognathic surgery, particularly in the context of treatment planning. It discusses how 3D printing has revolutionized this sector by providing enhanced visualization, precise surgical planning, reduction in operating time, and improved patient communication. Various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Medline, were searched with relevant keywords. A total of 410 articles were retrieved, of which 71 were included in this study. This article concludes that the utilization of 3D printing in the treatment planning of orthognathic surgery offers a wide range of advantages, such as increased patient satisfaction and improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Orthognathic Surgery to Enhance the Smile.

An esthetic smile is an integral feature of beauty. Improvement of the smile can be achieved by a combination of orthognathic surgery, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Preoperative evaluation serves to address a patient's surgical goals; it allows a surgeon to perform a detailed facial analysis and identify patients who are contraindicated for surgery. LeFort I and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy are performed to minimize the risk of complications. Injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve are the most common complication after orthognathic surgery, in which 90% of patients experience transient sensory disturbance of the lower lip in the postoperative period.

Surgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla after orthognathic surgery: A case report.

Surgical ciliated cysts are rare benign cystic lesions that generally occur a number of years after invasive surgical procedures or trauma involving the maxilla. The appearance of this cyst after orthognathic surgery is a complication that has rarely been reported. It usually shows as a well-defined radiolucency in the maxilla in young adults mimicking other maxillary cysts. Therefore, an exhaustive clinical-radiological diagnosis is needed to establish its differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The present study describes the case of a surgical ciliated cyst that appeared 20 years after LeFort I orthognathic surgery. Treatment consisted of complete enucleation with primary closure and removal of osteosynthesis material. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a maxillary cyst lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells. Clinicians should be aware of this rare type of cyst in patients with a history of maxillary surgery or trauma to establish a differential diagnosis and ensure appropriate management.

Anatomical Variations of the Greater Palatine Foramen in Different Facial Skeletal Relationships and its Implications on LeFort 1 Osteotomy (Trimble's Modification).

Purpose: To determine the positional variations of the greater palatine foramen in different facial skeletal relationships and discuss its surgical implications on the Trimble's modification of Lefort I osteotomy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study examined 50 computed tomography scans of patients a total of 100 sides. The sample was divided into four groups: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 malocclusion and Unilateral cleft lip and palate). The outcome variables included the distance between anterior, middle and posterior points of the GPF to the distal of second molar and variables to assess relative position of the GPF to the posterior maxilla. Outcome measures were to demonstrate intra- and intergroup variability. Results: Fifty patients (100 sides) were divided into four groups. This included 23 males and 27 females with a mean age of 24.1 years. Significant intergroup variability was observed between all the parameters that demonstrate the relative position of the GPF to (i) the maxillary second molar and (ii) the posterior maxilla. The analysis revealed that the GPF was positioned significantly anterior in Class 2 patients when compared with Class 3 patients. Conclusion: The GPF exhibits significant positional variability in different facial skeletal relationships which should be borne in mind while designing and performing the Trimble's modification of the Lefort 1 osteotomy.

Biomechanical evaluation of Chinese customized three-dimensional printed titanium miniplate in the Lefort I osteotomy: A finite element analysis.

Objectives: This work aims to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of Chinese customized three-dimensional (3D) -printed miniplates by means of finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A 3D Lefort I osteotomy model was established by Mimics. Two models were established to compare the strain behaviors of customized miniplate and conventional L-shaped miniplate. Hypermesh and ABAQUS were used to establish computer-aided engineering finite element models. The stress distribution on the mini-plates, screws and bone and the relative displacement of the maxilla segments were analyzed by loading postoperative occlusal force. Results: The displacements for customized mini-plate fixation were notably smaller than L-shaped mini-plate fixation. The maximum stresses on the screws, mini-plates and cortical bone for customized mini-plates were smaller than that for L-shaped miniplates. Conclusion: Chinese customized 3D-printed miniplates provide better postoperative stability and offer a good alternative to the conventional L-shaped miniplate system.

Pharyngeal airway space changes and stability following an extended LeFort-I osteotomy advancement in cleft lip and palate and non-cleft lip and palate patients: A long term comparison study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of extended maxillary advancement osteotomy on pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in mid-facial deficient cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients and mid-facial deficient non-CLP patients. METHODS: Pharyngeal airway space (PAS) of 10 CLP and 10 non-CLP patients with the mean age of 19 years 10 months was measured on digitized lateral cephalograms taken shortly before maxillary advancement operation with Quadrangular Le Fort I osteotomy (QLF-I) (T0), early post-operative, (T1) and long term post-operative (T2). Two way repeated analysis of variance, independent samples t-test and correlations tests were used for statistical analysis of airway and skeletal changes. RESULTS: Total PAS depth and area was significantly increased after the advancement and was stable in long term post-operative period for CLP and non-CLP patients. Nasopharyngeal and velopharyngeal airway space depth and area was statistically increased at T1 and T2 for both groups. Oropharyngeal airway depth and area showed no significant statistical difference at any of the time points. The effect of QLF-I osteotomy on (PAS) was similar in both CLP and non-CLP patients. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal, velopharyngeal, and total pharyngeal airway space depth and area increased after maxillary advancement with the QLF-I osteotomy; this increase was stable in long term follow up. Maxillary advancement with the QLF-I technique had no significant effect on oropharyngeal airway space depth and area in both CLP and non-cleft patients.