ABSTRACT
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.