Maxillary Osteotomies

Abstract

As a result of basic research and clinical advances, maxillary osteotomies have been a predictable method for the management of various maxillary deformities for more than 30 years [1]. Fixation methods have undergone as much change as the development of the surgical procedures. Maxillomandibular fixation and skeletal wire fixation were the mainstay techniques in orthognathic procedures until the availability of rigid fixation in maxillofacial surgery in the 1970s. With the development and refinements of rigid internal fixation, the advantages in maxillofacial surgery continue to be the avoidance of maxillomandibular fixation, superior stabilization and positioning of segments, and the fixation of bone grafts. Rigid internal fixation offers considerable advantages with regard to postoperative airway management, feeding, and a more rapid rehabilitation of the patient. Digital technologies for Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and rapid printed cutting guides, positioning guides, surgical stents, and stereolithographic 3D models have greatly improved the performance of these procedures