Pterygoid plate fractures caused by the Le Fort I osteotomy

Le Fort I osteotomies have been carried out on eight cadavers to determine whether pterygomaxillary dysjunction with a curved chisel causes fractures of the pterygoid plates. Fractures occurred on 12 of the 16 sides, were either at the level of the osteotomy cut or near to the base of the skull, and were sometimes multiple. There was no apparent correlation between the presence, type or extent of pterygoid plate fracture and whether or not that side of the osteotomy was completed first.