Facial soft-tissue changes after anterior maxillary osteotomy: A prospective study

The aim of this study was to analyze and assess the soft-tissue response in patients treated by anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO) in the postoperative period at 3, 6, and 9 months and to qualitatively assess the outcome of the surgery by the patients.

The study included twenty adult healthy patients between 18 and 25 years with skeletal Class II malocclusion and requiring AMO setback for the correction of facial deformity. Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms were taken and soft-tissue changes that occurred following AMO were compared at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. The stability and acceptance of the soft-tissue changes were analyzed, and the patient's acceptance for the soft-tissue changes was measured on the surgical rating scale (SRS).

All the soft-tissue parameters showed noticeable changes following AMO. Statistically significant difference was observed with nasolabial angle, upper lip, and lower lip inclination. All the patients were moderately satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.

This study aims in quantifying the soft-tissue changes following the AMO and the quality of the changes were recorded based on the SRS by the patients. Although there are changes associated with all the parameters assessed, significant differences was observed in nasolabial angle, upper lip, and lower lip inclination. The surgeon must be aware of the soft-tissue adaptation following the surgery for better outcomes.