Le fort I osteotomy with or without concomitant removal of upper third molars: A prospective cohort study of intraoperative findings, related complications, and level of pterygomaxillary separation after down-fracture.

The main objective of our study was to assess the clinical implications of concomitant intraoperative removal of maxillary third molars (M3M) with the Le Fort I osteotomy 'twist' technique (LF1twist). A prospective comparative study was carried out regarding the necessity of bone trimming around the pedicle, intra- and postoperative complications, surgery time, and the level of pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) separation following LF1twist with concomitant intraoperative removal of M3M (test group) versus LF1twist alone (control group). Outcome parameters were assessed from clinical and radiographic measurements. In total, 100 surgery sites were included (50 in each group). The mean surgery time was 53.4 ± 7.8 min, with nonsignificant differences between groups. The frequency of intraoperative complications was negligible, with no significant differences between groups - though all bleeding events (n = 4) occurred when M3M was not removed concomitantly. No postoperative complications were recorded. Percentages of disarticulations occurring at the PMJ were similar in both groups. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that removal of M3M in conjunction with LF1twist does not imply additional surgery time, or differences regarding the level of PMJ separation or perioperative complications. Furthermore, the concomitant procedure reduces the amount of maxillary and palatal bone in the disjunction area, which facilitates down-fracture and field clearing for maxillary repositioning.

Additional pre-extubation local anaesthetic application to improve the postoperative course in orthognathic surgery: a randomised controlled trial.

A clinical trial was performed to assess the analgesic efficacy of adding ropivacaine pre-extubation for pain management after bimaxillary osteotomy. Forty-eight patients were assigned to receive general anaesthesia followed by either a single pre-incisional infiltration with lidocaine (control group, n = 24) or the same pre-incisional infiltration with lidocaine and an additional second infiltration with ropivacaine before awakening (test group, n = 24). Postoperative pain was assessed subjectively using a visual analogue scale and objectively based on the frequency of postoperative rescue opioid consumption. The dose of opioids (methadone) consumed and frequency of postoperative-nausea-vomiting were also recorded. Patients who received the two infiltrations of local anaesthetic had better results in terms of lesser pain during the first 8 hours postoperative (P<0.001 at 2 and 4 hours; P = 0.028 at 8 h), a lesser need for rescue opioids (P = 0.020) and lower doses of rescue opioids (P = 0.011), and consequently a lesser incidence of postoperative-nausea-vomiting (0-4 hours postoperative, P<0.03). The results obtained suggest that the infiltration of an additional dose of local anaesthetic is a simple strategy for reducing pain perception and opioid use, and for ensuring greater patient comfort after bimaxillary osteotomy.

Impact of 3-dimensional anatomical changes secondary to orthognathic surgery on voice resonance and articulatory function: a prospective study.

An evaluation was made of the impact of orthognathic surgery (OS) on speech, addressing in particular the effects of skeletal and airway changes on voice resonance characteristics and articulatory function. A prospective study was carried out involving 29 consecutive patientssubjected to OS. Preoperative, and short and long-term postoperative evaluations were made of anatomical changes (skeletal and airway measurements), speech evolution (assessed objectively by acoustic analysis: fundamental frequency, local jitter, local shimmer of each vowel, and formants F1 and F2 of vowel /a/), and articulatory function (use of compensatory musculature, point of articulation, and speech intelligibility). These were also assessed subjectively by means of a visual analogue scale. Articulatory function after OS showed immediate improvement and had further progressed at one year of follow up. This improvement significantly correlated with the anatomical changes, and was also notably perceived by the patient. On the other hand, although a slight modification in vocal resonance was reported and seen to correlate with anatomical changes of the tongue, hyoid bone, and airway, it was not subjectively perceived by the patients. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that OS had beneficial effects on articulatory function and imperceptible subjective changes in a patient's voice. Patients subjected to OS, apart from benefitting from improved articulatory function, should not be afraid that they will not recognise their voice after treatment.

Does orthognathic surgery have an incidentally beneficial effect on mild or asymptomatic sleep apnoea?

A prospective study was performed to assess the effect of orthognathic surgery on mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in patients with an underlying dentofacial deformity treated for occlusal and/or aesthetic reasons. As the main outcome variables, changes in upper airway volume and apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) were evaluated at 1 and 12 months of follow-up, in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery with widening movements of the maxillomandibular complex. Descriptive, bivariate, and correlation analyses were performed; significance was set at P < 0.05. Eighteen patients diagnosed with mild OSA were enroled (mean age 39.8 ± 10.0 years). An overall upper airway volume widening of 46.7% after orthognathic surgery was observed at 12 months of follow-up. The AHI decreased significantly from a median 7.7 events/hour preoperatively to 5.0 events/h at 12 months postoperative (P = 0.045), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from a median 9.5 preoperatively to 7 at 12 months postoperative (P = 0.009). A cure rate of 50% was obtained at 12 months of follow-up (P = 0.009). Despite the limited sample size, this study provides evidence that in patients with an underlying retrusive dentofacial deformity and mild OSA, a slight decrease in AHI is obtained after orthognathic surgery due to upper airway enlargement, which could be added as a beneficial effect of orthognathic surgery.

'Pillow technique' to improve lip support in the context of zygoma implant rehabilitation.

This study proposes a simple, off-the-shelf ancillary method for application in the dental rehabilitation of severe maxillary atrophy with zygoma implants, allowing simultaneous improvement of lip support in cases with a moderate lack of premaxillary projection. Three consecutive patients with an atrophic maxilla were evaluated retrospectively. All were treated with a fixed rehabilitation over four zygomatic implants and the pillow technique. The study variables included radiological assessment of the premaxilla volume, upper lip and perinasal soft tissue changes, clinical complications, and subjective evaluation of functional and aesthetic patient satisfaction based on a visual analogue scale. All of the zygomatic implants showed osseointegration. The survival rate was 100%. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful, and no surgical complications were noted at the follow-up visits. Radiological assessment of the premaxilla volume enhancement showed a final mean skeletal projection improvement of +9.4 mm, while the nasolabial angle decreased an average of + 0.6 mm. On the other hand, only small changes in nasal width were detected. Patient satisfaction with the functional and aesthetic outcomes at the 1-year follow-up was excellent. The pillow graft is an easy-to-handle technique that can be included in the armamentarium for moderately incrementing the maxillary sagittal dimension and enhancing lip support in the context of zygoma implant rehabilitation.

Three-dimensional evaluation of postoperative stability: a comparative study between surgery-first and surgery-late protocols.

The main objective of this study was to compare the stability of the surgery-first and surgery-late approaches according to the standardized centre protocols, by three-dimensional evaluation after 1 year of follow-up. A retrospective study was designed that included a test group (surgery-first protocol) and a control group (surgery-late protocol), with a follow-up period of at least 1 year (average 14 months; range 12-24 months). Stability was evaluated using linear and angular measurements by superimposing cone beam computed tomography images obtained at specific points in time: preoperatively, 1 month after surgery, and at the end of the orthodontic treatment. A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 32.2 ± 11.1 years were included in the study. After surgery there were significant changes in all of the measurements in at least one dimension in both groups (except for the transverse maxillary dimension), which remained stable at the end of the treatment, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups. At the 1-year follow-up, both groups presented a SNA angle relapse; this relapse was more significant in the surgery-late group (P = 0.031) and was present only in Class III patients (P = 0.013). In conclusion, an equivalent three-dimensional stability between surgery-first and surgery-late protocols was demonstrated after 1 year of follow-up when eligibility criteria were strictly adhered to.

Transmucosal pterygomaxillary disjunction using a piezoelectric device, in the context of the minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy protocol.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and clinical implications of pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) disjunction with a transmucosal PMJ osteotomy using a piezoelectric hand-piece device, in the context of Le Fort I osteotomy, by evaluating the level of PMJ disarticulation and the need for bone trimming around the pedicle. An ambidirectional 1-month follow-up cohort study was designed involving consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy through the twist technique. Two cohorts were defined according to whether or not the transmucosal PMJ osteotomy was performed. The site of PMJ disjunction was analysed radiographically. A total of 114 patients were included in the study, 57 in each group. The overall accuracy of the PMJ disjunction path was higher in the test group (43.9%) than in the control group (15.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the need for bone trimming (odds ratio 0.02; P < 0.001) and removal of the upper third molar (odds ratio 0.17; P < 0.001) as relevant factors. In conclusion, compared with the originally described twist technique, combination of the latter with the PMJ osteotomy increased its accuracy at the level of the PMJ. As a result, there is a decrease in resistance during down-fracture and decrease in the need for bone trimming around the pedicle, with preservation of the minimally invasive concept.

Buccal fat pad as a sealant in palatal mucosa tearing: technical note.

For patients with a dentofacial deformity undergoing a planned segmentation of the maxilla for the management of a transverse maxillary arch discrepancy, palatal mucosa tearing may occur during sawing or palatal expansion traction, giving rise to an oronasal communication. This technical note describes the covering of a tear in the palatal mucosa using a buccal fat pad (BFP) flap, in the context of maxillary segmentation during Le Fort I osteotomy. Through the limited buccal incision used for the Le Fort I osteotomy, a small incision is made in the right periosteum posteriorly, and a supraperiosteal dissection is performed to access the BFP. After a sufficient amount of flap is made available, it is gently introduced through the osteotomy gap until it reaches the palatal mucosa defect and is then sutured. In the patient case presented, the palatal mucosa healed fully within 18 days, and the patient reported no nasal regurgitation of food, defective speech, fetid odour, bad taste, or upper respiratory tract or ear infection during the postoperative period. This technique using a BFP flap should therefore be considered in the context of unexpected tearing of the palatal mucosa in patients undergoing a segmented Le Fort I osteotomy.

Virtual surgical planning in orthognathic surgery with the use of patient-specific plates compared with conventional plates. A systematic review focusing on complications, financial expenses, professional and patient-reported outcome measures.

BACKGROUND: Orthognathic surgery is a well-known surgical procedure for correction of facial deformities. The surgical procedure is performed by the use of conventional plates and by patient-specific osteosynthesis plates (PSOPs). The aim of this study is to investigate any differences in complications, financial expenses, professional and patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in orthognathic surgery performed by conventional plates and by PSOPs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library search was conducted. Human studies published in English through August 27, 2020 were included. Grey literature, unpublished literature as well as other databases like Scopus, Google Scholar, or Research Gate were also included in the search strategy of the present systematic review. Randomized and controlled clinical trials were included. Risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane risk of bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Five studies with unclear risk of bias and moderate quality were included. Meta-analysis was not applicable due to considerable heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in intra- and postoperative complications or professional and PROM with the two treatment modalities, although higher tendencies to reoperations were observed with conventional plates. Financial expenses were significantly higher with PSOP, but treatment planning and intraoperative time were shortened by approximately one third compared with mock surgery and conventional plates. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed in complications, professional and PROM. Higher financial expenses were recorded in orthognathic surgery performed with PSOP. Treatment planning and intraoperative time were shortened with the use of conventional plates. Although further randomized trials are needed before definite conclusions can be provided about beneficial use of PSOPs in orthognathic surgery from a professional and patient perspective.

Redefining our protocol of the orthognathic surgery-first approach after 10 years of experience.

The objective of this study was to update and redefine some concepts of the surgery-first (SF) approach, regarding its indications and contraindications, virtual planning work-up, surgical tips, and postoperative orthodontic benefits, after 10 years of experience. A retrospective analysis was made of orthognathic surgical procedures following the SF protocol between January 2010 and December 2019 to review inclusion and exclusion criteria, diagnostic workflow, surgical tips, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 148 SF procedures were performed during this period, which corresponded to only 9.2% of the total orthognathic surgeries performed, which means that we have broadened the exclusion criteria instead of reducing them. Surgical tips include interdental corticotomies solely in cases of anterior crowding and leaving the intermaxillary fixation miniscrews in place postoperatively for orthodontic skeletal anchorage. The mean duration of postoperative orthodontic treatment was reduced in comparison to conventional surgery (36.8 vs 87.5 weeks). The overall degree of satisfaction was high not only for the patients, but also for the orthodontists and surgeon. SF is especially indicated for patients who desire an immediate aesthetic result, with short-term orthodontics, or for treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, if they meet the established criteria.

Transmucosal posterior segmentation in the context of minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy: Technical note.

In patients in which posterior segmentation of the maxilla is planned in the context of a minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy, accessing the posterior segmentation may tear the soft tissues, causing the minimally invasive approach to become lost, and tissue vascularization may be jeopardized. A technical note is presented for maintaining the original incision length when posterior osteotomies are required in the context of a minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy. Two vertical incisions are performed at the level of the premolars, a subperiosteal tunnel is made to access the bone with the piezoelectric device, and then an osteotome is used to complete the osteotomy. It thus may be concluded that this simple and safe additional limited approach can be reproduced in all cases where reaching an anatomical structure in the posterior maxillary region is required in the context of a minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy. The described technique offers easy and direct access to the posterior region of the maxilla while maintaining the initial incision length and preserving vascularization through the buccal corridors.

Relapse-related factors of Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft lip and palate patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review search was based on the PICOS approach, as follows: population: cleft lip and palate patients; intervention: Le Fort I osteotomy; comparator: different surgical protocols; outcome: stability, recurrence or surgical complications; study designs: only case reports were excluded from the review. No restrictions were placed on language or year of publication. Risk of bias was analyzed, heterogeneity was assessed, and subgroup analysis was performed using a level of significance of 1% (p = 0.01). The search identified 248 citations, from which 29 studies were selected and a total of 797 patients enrolled. The level of agreement between the authors was considered excellent (k = 0.810 for study selection and k = 0.941 for study eligibility). Our results reported a mean maxillary advancement of 5.69 mm, a mean vertical downward/upward of 2.85/-2.02 mm and a mean clockwise rotation of 4.15°. Greater surgical relapse rates were reported for vertical downward movement (-1.13 mm, 39.6%), followed by clockwise rotation (-1.41°, 33.9%), sagittal (-0.99 mm, 17.4%) and vertical upward (0.11 mm, 5.4%) movements. No relevance was found regarding the type of cleft, the type of Le Fort I osteotomy, concomitant bone grafting, surgical overcorrection, postoperative rigid or elastic intermaxillary fixation, or retention splint. Study limitations were heterogeneity and the low number of high-quality studies. In spite of reported high relapse rates, Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary reposition is the first-choice procedure for selected cleft lip and palate patients in whom extensive maxillary movements are not required, because of its safety and its three-dimensional movement versatility in one-step surgery. Otherwise, distraction osteogenesis should be considered as the gold standard treatment.

Variation between natural head orientation and Frankfort horizontal planes in orthognathic surgery patients: 187 consecutive cases.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the Frankfort horizontal (FH) and natural head orientation (NHO), their correlation between patients' malocclusion, and the impact of counterclockwise rotation (CCW) on the FH-NHO angle variation after orthognathic surgery. An evaluation of 187 consecutive patients was performed at the Maxillofacial Institute (Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona). FH-NHO° was measured pre- and postoperatively at 1 and 12 months, after three-dimensional (3D) superimposition using a software (Dolphin®). Patients were classified as follows: 3.2%, 48.7% and 48.1%, class I, II and III, respectively. Baseline FH-NHO° was significantly positive for patients with dentofacial deformities (2.73°±4.19 (2.12-3.33°, P<0.001). The impact of orthognathic surgery in FH-NHO° was greater in class II when compared with class III patients, with a variation of 2.04°±4.79 (P<0.001) and -1.20°±3.03 (P<0.001), respectively. FH-NHO° increased when CCW rotational movements were performed (P=0.006). The results of this study suggest that pre- and postoperative NHO differs from FH in orthognathic patients. The angle between FH and NHO is significantly larger in class III than in class II patients at baseline, which converges after orthognathic surgery when CCW rotation is performed. Therefore, NHO should be used as the real horizontal plane when planning for orthognathic surgery.

Improving accuracy of the intermediate splint in substantial intermaxillary sagittal discrepancies using an extra anterior anchorage point: technical note.

BACKGROUND: To describe a technical feature that increases the stability of the intermediate splint in patients where bimaxillary surgery with great maxillary/mandibular advancements are planned. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective evaluation of the intermediate splint dental vertical penetration in patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery where great sagittal discrepancy occur in the anterior sector between the upper and lower jaws when the intermediate splint is placed by adding an extra intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screw (2x9 mm) placed between the central incisors of the maxilla and fixed to the most anterior aspect of the intermediate splint following the direction of the sagittal maxillo-mandibular discrepancy from January to September 2018. RESULTS: The postoperative evaluation comparing the accuracy of conventional fixation versus fixation with an extra anterior anchorage point through photographic assessment and intraoral digital scanner demonstrated better dental penetration, and therefore improved intermediate splint precision with the latter in all cases Conclusions: Our results suggest that this is a simple and safe technique that can be easily reproduced and optimizes the outcomes by increasing the accuracy of translation of the planned surgical movements to the operating room.

Aplicación de la tecnología CAD/CAM para el manejo de la fisura alveolar: a propósito de un caso clínico / Application of CAD/CAM technology for alveolar cleft management: a case report

El paciente fisurado requiere un abordaje multidisciplinar e individualizado, siendo imprescindible adaptar la secuencia de tratamiento a cada paciente, según su situación clínica, sus necesidades y sus expectativas. Uno de los problemas más frecuentes del paciente fisurado es, entre otros, el colapso transversal del maxilar. La tecnología CAD/CAM nos permite la planificación virtual e impresión 3D, facilitando el abordaje y tratamiento integral del paciente fisurado en la actualidad. El propósito de este artículo es mostrar el manejo de la fisura alveolar de un paciente adulto con fístula oronasal y maloclusión dental por colapso transversal del maxilar, en el cual se aplica la tecnología CAD/CAM para optimizar los tiempos quirúrgicos y de rehabilitación dental protésica. Discutir acerca de las posibilidades terapéuticas y los beneficios de la implementación de los avances en técnicas CAD/CAM

Cleft patient requires a multidisciplinary and individualized approach, being essential to adapt the treatment sequence to each patient, according to their clinical situation, their needs and their expectations. One of the most frequent problems of the cleft patient is, among others, the transverse collapse of the maxilla. CAD/CAM technology allows virtual planning and 3D printing that facilitates the comprehensive approach and treatment of the cleft patient today. The purpose of this article is to show the management of the alveolar cleft of an adult patient with oronasal fistula and dental malocclusion due to transverse maxillary collapse, in which CAD/CAM technology is applied to optimize surgical and prosthetic dental rehabilitation times. Discuss the therapeutic possibilities and benefits of implementing advances in CAD/CAM techniques

Relevance of 3D virtual planning in predicting bony interferences between distal and proximal fragments after sagittal split osteotomy.

After sagittal split osteotomy, the mandibular distal and proximal fragments do not always align themselves passively to one another, resulting in bony interferences and subsequent anomalous settlement of the condyles. Predicting these interferences could be an important ancillary procedure for avoiding intra- and postoperative surgical complications, rendering orthognathic surgery more effective and safer. This study evaluated the relevance of virtual surgical planning in assessing the displacement of the proximal segments after virtual distal segment repositioning, for predicting bony interferences between the segments and thus avoiding related intra- and postoperative surgical complications. The presence of interferences between the distal and proximal segments was compared between virtually predicted (computer-assisted simulation surgery, Dolphin software) and real cases in 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with dentofacial deformities who underwent orthognathic surgery with mandibular repositioning (using a short lingual osteotomy (SLO)). The results indicated that clockwise rotation of the mandible was the mandibular movement most prone to segment interference. Furthermore, virtual planning was sensitive (100%) but had low specificity (51.6%) in predicting proximal and distal segment interferences. This low specificity was due to the software-based automated design of the mandibular osteotomy, where the length of the distal segment was longer than the real SLO, and the mandibular ramus sagittal split was located just behind Spix's spine. Thus, more precise simulated osteotomies are needed to further validate the accuracy of virtual planning for this purpose.

Nasolabial soft tissue effects of segmented and non-segmented Le Fort I osteotomy using a modified alar cinch technique-a cone beam computed tomography evaluation.

The aim of this study was to verify soft tissues changes and the effect of a minimally invasive surgical technique in the nasolabial region after segmented and non-segmented Le Fort I osteotomy, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) volume surfaces. Two groups were evaluated: group 1, bimaxillary surgery with maxillary segmentation (n=40); group 2, bimaxillary surgery without maxillary segmentation (n=40). In both groups, a specific alar cinching technique was used to control nasal base broadening. CBCT evaluation was performed at three different treatment time points: T0, 1 month before surgery; T1, 1 month after surgery; T2, 1year after surgery. The results showed statistically significant differences in the nasolabial area (P<0.001). For group 1, the mean change in alar base width (Alinf-Alinf) was 1.31±1.40mm at T1 and 0.93±1.77mm at T2; for group 2 these values were 1.12±2.01mm at T1 and 0.54±1.54mm at T2. For group 1, the mean changes in inter-alar width (Al-Al) were 1.68±1.46mm at T1 and 1.49±1.33mm at T2; for group 2, they were 2.22±1.93mm at T1 and 1.34±1.79mm at T2. The alar cinch technique proposed here appears to be effective in controlling nasolabial soft tissue widening.

Alveolar corticotomies for accelerated orthodontics: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that alveolar corticotomies may accelerate tooth movement, broaden the scope of malocclusion types that can be treated orthodontically, decrease the need for extractions, and support long-term stability. Several techniques have been proposed, although the indications, ideal design and technical characteristics, potential complications, and objective clinician and patient satisfaction remain unclear. This systematic review aimed to provide scientific support to validate alveolar corticotomies as a reliable approach to accelerated orthodontics. MATERIAL & METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane, and EMBASE electronic databases until December, 2016. Articles written in any language other than English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese were excluded. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and case series involving healthy adult patients, with a sample size of at least 5 patients, and using alveolar corticotomy techniques were included. Two reviewers extracted the data independently. RESULTS: Three randomized clinical trials, 2 prospective randomized clinical trials, 6 case series and 1 randomized controlled split-mouth study were included. No clinical trials were retrieved. Mean total treatment time in corticotomy-facilitated orthodontic cases was 8.85 months (range, 4-20 months); control groups treatment duration was 16.4 months (range, 7.8-28.3 months). Complications such as pain, swelling, and dentin hypersensitivity were reported. Few studies mentioned patient/clinician satisfaction. The faster and less invasive procedures appeared to be well tolerated. However, the methodological quality of the selected studies was low, with only low to moderate scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics resulted in decreased treatment time. Few complications and low morbidity were found. More solid evidence-based research is required to support these results.