Experimental study of the safety of simultaneous nasal and Le Fort I osteotomies.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the risk of unfavorable fractures extending to adjacent structures from nasal osteotomies during simultaneous rhinoplasty and Le Fort I osteotomy.


METHODS
Sixteen nasal osteotomies (medial and lateral) were performed in conjunction with Le Fort I osteotomy on eight fresh cadaver heads. Skin and soft tissue of the face were removed and the patterns of fracture along the nasal bones and the presence of unfavorable fractures extending from the nasal osteotomies toward the orbit, skull base, and the maxillary osteotomy site were assessed.


RESULTS
All 16 nasal osteotomies were successfully performed with a single pass of the osteotome. The nasal bones were easily mobilized in every instance. There were 11 (69%) complete fractures and five (31%) greenstick fractures at the superior aspect of the nasal bones. There were no unfavorable fractures extending from the nasal fracture sites toward the skull base, orbit, or the maxillary osteotomy site.


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneous Le Fort I osteotomy and nasal osteotomies can be performed without significant risk of unfavorable fractures or extension of the fracture lines to adjacent structures.
Li
K K
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Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine 92668, USA.
D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012449:Safety; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors