title: Le Fort I osteotomy to correct malocclusion after reconstruction of the maxilla with the free fibula flap.
abstract: Malocclusion and facial asymmetry may follow microsurgical jawbone reconstruction. We describe the use of a Le Fort I osteotomy to correct malocclusion after fibula flap reconstruction of the maxilla. A 49-year-old patient with an extremely atrophied maxilla underwent alveolar crest augmentation by free fibula transfer. Bone healing was uneventful, but gross asymmetry of the reconstructed maxilla was apparent 3 months after surgery, with canting of the alveolar bone on the right side and residual skeletal discrepancy in the sagittal plane. A Le Fort I osteotomy was planned to correct malocclusion 6 months after fibula transfer. The maxilla was moved downward and forward and impacted in the right molar region. There were no postoperative complications. Solid bone union was achieved between the mobilized maxilla and the buttresses 3 months after surgery. At that time, osteointegrated implants were inserted, and an implant-supported prosthesis was completed. Neither bone resorption nor implant failure was encountered after 12 months of masticatory loading. Surgical correction of malocclusion after maxillary bone augmentation with the fibula flap is possible. Le Fort I osteotomy represents a reasonable option after microvascular alveolar bone reconstruction of the maxilla, when additional movements are required to restore facial symmetry and occlusion.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Biomedical and Morphological Sciences, University of Verona, Hospital G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Francesco
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Nocini
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiarini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fior
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bedogni
mesh_terms: D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000009:adverse effects; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants