[Endoscopically assisted Le Fort 1 osteotomy: a study in human cadaver heads].
RESULTS
Endoscopically assisted Le Fort 1-osteotomy was performed in a cadaver study with six human skulls. Vertical incisions were used to approach the maxilla using the endoscope. The bone cuts could be carried out with a 4-mm osteotome preserving the buccal mucosa. The downfracture of the maxilla was accomplished without damaging the descending palatal arteries, which could be verified endoscopically. Rigid fixation was performed using 1.5-mm titanium plates (Synthes, Mathys AG, Bettlach, Switzerland) and self-drilling screws.


CONCLUSIONS
This cadaver study showed that the Le Fort 1 osteotomy could be carried out through limited approaches using endoscopic techniques and self-drilling fixation tools. Further experimental work and improvements will help to introduce this technique into clinical application.
Rohner
D
D
Department of Plastic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. dennisrohner@hotmail.com
Yeow
V
V
Hammer
B
B
D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011859:Radiography