Fj. Mogavero et al., ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY EFFECTS ON MAXILLARY GROWTH IN PATIENTS WITH VERTICAL MAXILLARY EXCESS, American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, 111(3), 1997, pp. 288-296
This study assesses the effects of superior repositioning of the maxil
la by LeFort I osteotomy on adolescent maxillary growth. A total of 48
patients, 23 who were stabilized with rigid fixation (RF) and 25 stab
ilized with wire fixation (WF), were compared with closely matched uno
perated controls. Comparisons were made for the presurgical intervals
(2.3 years for RF and 1.3 years for WF groups) and postsurgical interv
als (1.9 years for RF and 2.3 years for the WF groups). Lateral cephal
ograms were evaluated to describe the presurgical and postsurgical spa
tial changes of the maxilla. During the presurgical interval, there we
re no significant differences in vertical or horizontal maxillary grow
th between the WF group and their controls. Although vertical growth c
hanges were similar, the RF group showed slightly more than expected p
osterior movement of the upper incisor during the presurgical interval
. During surgery, the maxilla was advanced approximately 2 mm and impa
cted approximately 2 mm. After surgery, there were no statistically si
gnificant differences in vertical maxillary growth between the two sur
gical and control groups. Horizontally, the RF group showed maxillary
stability, whereas the WF groups showed posterior movement. It is conc
luded that multiple piece LeFort I osteotomy has little or no effect o
n vertical maxillary growth; rigid fixation provides superior long-ter
m anteroposterior stability compared with wire fixation.