title: Factors predictive of pterygoid process fractures after pterygomaxillary separation without using an osteotome in Le Fort I osteotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study demonstrated pterygomaxillary disjunction patterns and elucidated factors related to unfavorable pterygomaxillary junction fractures in Le Fort I osteotomy without using an osteotome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and anatomical data obtained from computed tomography images (100 sides) were analyzed for their ability to predict patterns of pterygomaxillary disjunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Separation of the pterygomaxillary junction was most frequently performed at the maxillary tuberosity (48.0%). Twenty-eight pterygoid plates were fractured. Male gender, increased age, thickness of the pterygomaxillary junction, and length of the maxillary tuberosity were significant risk factors for pterygoid process fractures. We also identified that a pterygomaxillary junction thickness less than 2.6 mm and a maxillary tuberosity length of more than 11.5 mm indicated a statistically significant risk of pterygoid process fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prediction of frangible pterygoid plates by preoperative quantitative evaluation of morphometric values provides useful information for selecting safe procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Aichi-Gakuin University, School of Dentistry, Aichi, Japan. telxx2000gt@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Teruyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuroyanagi
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyachi
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ochiai
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagao
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimozato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000601:surgery; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000145:classification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000379:methods; D011378:Prognathism / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult