Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as a complication of orthognathic surgery

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a clinical disorder that may develop following surgical trauma to the maxilla, for example as a result of closed sinus lifting with the use of mallet and osteotome during implant surgery. We proposed that BPPV may also occur following maxillary Le Fort osteotomy during orthognathic surgery. In a prospective study of 50 consecutive cases of orthognathic surgery, we observed that one patient developed BPPV in the postoperative period following bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. The patient was a 23-year-old woman who met the strict criteria for a diagnosis of BPPV, including a positive Dix-Hallpike test. We have described BPPV in more detail and have discussed the necessity of increasing awareness and knowledge of surgeons about BPPV as a possible complication of craniomaxillofacial surgery.