title: Surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion of narrowed maxillae: a case-cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate a consecutive cohort of surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion cases to determine the indications, results and relapse associated with the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 21 cases of SARME treated by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic units at the University of Adelaide were examined. Overall expansion and subsequent relapse were compared on study models and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs against the variables of age, gender, surgeon, surgical technique, final occlusion and the retention period. Statistical analysis was performed on paired variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum expansion was gained across the intermolar width and the most relapse identified across the canines. Male patients showed statistically greater stability across the intercanine width. There were otherwise no significant relationships between the treatment variables, stability or relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SARME is a safe surgical technique for narrowed maxillae requiring intermolar expansion of 6 mm or more. Overexpansion of up to 60% is required to compensate for relapse.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sanjaya N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gamage
authors.forename: Alastair N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Goss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003765:Models, Dental; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000379:methods; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult