title: Radiography after orthognathic surgery. Part II. Surgical complications.
abstract: In a retrospective review of the radiographs from 100 patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery, the authors found that 10% of radiographs had evidence of surgical complications. These complications were fractures, temporomandibular joint dislocations, transected tooth roots, retained surgical devices, avascular necrosis, malunion or nonunion of osteotomy fragments, and osteomyelitis. Some of these complications are of little significance, while others require immediate intervention. Opacified maxillary sinuses and lucencies around tooth roots are frequent findings that may be confused with abnormalities; however, they represent postoperative blood in the sinuses and resorption of bone due to stress from orthodontic appliances, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68105.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Koment
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ruskin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bennion
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000293:injuries; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries