Intraoperative and perioperative complications in anterior maxillary osteotomy: a retrospective evaluation of 103 patients.

PURPOSE: To study the intraoperative and perioperative complications associated with anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO), and assess its safety and predictability in orthognathic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 103 patients undergoing AMO as a single procedure, or in combination with other osteotomies over a period of 5 years, with a mean follow-up of 3 years. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (26.2%) patients in our series of 103 had complications of varying severity: 43.3% of these were soft tissue-related, and 36.6% were attributable to dental causes. All other complications accounted for the remaining 20%. CONCLUSION: Although its indications are limited, AMO is a safe and reliable procedure in routine orthognathic surgery.