Nasal airway changes after Le Fort I - Impaction and advancement: anatomical and functional findings

Twenty patients were studied prospectively to assess intranasal anatomical changes and functional changes resulting from a one-piece Le Fort I-osteoto my with anterior and superior positioning of the maxilla. Presurgical and 3 months postsurgical rhinological inspection, anterior rhinomanometry and a coustic rhinometry were performed. Interalar width was measured and cephalo grams were used to assess maxillary movement. Rhinoscopically, three septal perforations (15%) were noticed. Turbinate enlargement was less common pos toperatively. Interalar width increased significantly. These findings corre late with a significant increase in cross-sectional diameter at the Isthmus nasi revealed by acoustic rhinometry 3 months postoperatively. The mean to tal nasal airflow measured by anterior rhinomanometry was unchanged indicat ing no increase in resistance despite decreased intranasal dimensions in ca ses where the impaction is not higher than 5 mm.