The 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy for cranial base access: an evaluation of 9 patients.
OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the use of the 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy to gain access to the cranial base and the authors' experiences with this technique.


METHODS
Medical records of patients who required surgical access to the cranial base were retrospectively reviewed, and demographic data, procedures done, postoperative results, and complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Nine patients underwent a 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy. Complications included development of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery in 1 patient, 2 cerebrospinal fluid leaks, both of which resolved, and 1 patient who lost 2 teeth and some associated bone.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy provides excellent access to the clival region of the cranial base with minimal complications.
Eisig
S B
SB
Department of Dentistry/Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. sideis@aol.com
Feghali
J
J
Hall
C
C
Goodrich
J T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery*; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000209:etiology