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Evaluation of post-surgical relapse in maxillary surgery using resorbable plate
Jin-Young Choi1, Jong-Wan Kim, Chung-Kyu Yoo
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Summary
Resorbable plates for maxillary surgery may lack vertical stability in patients with short anterior facial height, leading to relapse. Facial height is a key factor in choosing these plates for bimaxillary procedures.
Area of Science:
- Maxillofacial surgery
- Orthognathic surgery
- Biomaterials science
Background:
- Maxillary surgery aims to correct skeletal discrepancies.
- Resorbable plates made of poly(l-lactic acid) and poly(d-lactic acid) copolymer (P(L/DL)LA) are used for fixation.
- Post-surgical skeletal changes and relapse factors require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess vertical and horizontal changes after maxillary surgery using P(L/DL)LA resorbable plates.
- To identify factors influencing post-surgical skeletal changes and relapse.
Main Methods:
- Bimaxillary surgery was performed on 20 patients using P(L/DL)LA plates.
- Lateral cephalograms were taken pre- and post-surgery.
- Patients were grouped into less relapse (LR) and more relapse (MR) using K-means clustering based on post-surgical relapse.
Main Results:
- Short preoperative anterior facial height (AFH) was significantly associated with greater maxillary relapse.
- The more relapse (MR) group had shorter AFH pre-surgically and greater increases postoperatively compared to the less relapse (LR) group.
- Post-surgical relapse showed significant decreases in AFH and other cephalometric variables in the MR group.
Conclusions:
- P(L/DL)LA resorbable plates may offer insufficient vertical stability for the maxilla in patients with short AFH, potentially due to muscle forces.
- Anterior facial height is a critical consideration when selecting P(L/DL)LA plates for maxillary surgery.