Predictability of maxillary repositioning during bimaxillary surgery: accuracy of a new technique

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the predictability of maxillary repositioning following Le Fort I osteotomy during bimaxillary surgery using a new technique with splints to reposition the maxilla in the three planes of space. In order to assess the accuracy of horizontal and vertical maxillary movements of the maxilla, 32 consecutive patients who underwent bimaxillary surgery had their predictive tracings and model surgery measures compared to postoperative cephalograms taken 1 week after surgery. There was a strong positive correlation between model surgery and postoperative result: 53% of horizontal movements and 41% of vertical movements showed less than 0.2 mm variation. When predictive tracings were compared to postoperative results 44% of horizontal and 50% of vertical movements showed less than 0.2 mm variation. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the planned and actual maxillary positions in the sample evaluated. This technique for maxillary repositioning during two-jaw surgery proved to be effective and predictable, with strong agreement between predictive tracings, model surgery and postoperative results.