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The 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy for cranial base access: an evaluation of 9 patients
1Department of Dentistry/Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. sideis@aol.com
Purpose:
This article discusses the use of the 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy to gain access to the cranial base and the authors' experiences with this technique.
Methods:
Medical records of patients who required surgical access to the cranial base were retrospectively reviewed, and demographic data, procedures done, postoperative results, and complications were recorded.
Results:
Nine patients underwent a 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy. Complications included development of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery in 1 patient, 2 cerebrospinal fluid leaks, both of which resolved, and 1 patient who lost 2 teeth and some associated bone.
Conclusion:
The 2-piece Le Fort I osteotomy provides excellent access to the clival region of the cranial base with minimal complications.