Piezoelectric osteotomy: a new technique for bone surgery-advantages in craniofacial surgery.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasonic bone cutting is a new surgical technique used in dentistry to section hard tissues without damaging adjacent soft tissues. We hypothesized that such a device could also be useful in craniofacial surgery, particularly during the removal of the superior orbital roof during craniofaciostenosis surgery.


METHODS
An ultrasonic device was employed in different craniofacial surgical procedures: 1. to remove the superior orbital roof in 30 cases of craniofaciostenosis, 2. to perform a Le Fort III osteotomy for the treatment of Crouzon syndrome in two patients, 3. to cut the parietal and frontal bone in 30 cases of craniofaciostenosis. The integrity of soft tissues and surgical time was evaluated.


RESULTS
Functional results were good without any soft tissue damage appreciated. The overall operative time, however, was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Piezosurgery is a new technical procedure, which can be advantageous for bone cutting in multiple situations with minimal to no damage in adjacent soft tissues.
Gleizal
Arnaud
A
Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-faciale, Hôpitaux Nord, 93 Grande Rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69317, Lyon, Cedex 04, France. arnaud.gleizal@caramail.com
Bera
Jean-Christophe
JC
Lavandier
Bernard
B
Beziat
Jean-Luc
JL
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003394:Craniofacial Dysostosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000601:surgery