Soft tissue profile changes after Le Fort I osteotomy in UCLP patients

The changes in soft tissue profile after Le Fort I osteotomy were evaluated cephalometrically in 38 consecutive UCLP patients (25 males, 13 females) operated on between 1987 and 1995. Mean age at operation was 23.5 years. The one-piece Le Fort I osteotomy was fixed with titanium plates and the osteotomy site was bone grafted. Neither intermaxillary fixation nor occlusal splints were used postoperatively. Soft tissue changes were analyzed both horizontally and vertically by cephalograms taken shortly before surgery, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The mean maxillary skeletal advancement (point A) during surgery was 3.8 mm and mean vertical lengthening 4.4 mm. One year postoperatively the horizontal change in the upper lip profile (point a) was 80% of the skeletal change. Vertically, the soft tissue change in the upper lip was smaller 40%, but increased significantly (to 58%) if V-Y plasty was used. The V-Y plasty also increased the anteroposterior thickness of the upper lip. No significant soft tissue changes were observed between 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.