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

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO) is a surgical procedure to correct facial deformities.
• Understanding soft-tissue response post-AMO is crucial for patient satisfaction and surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and assess soft-tissue response following anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO) at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively.
• To qualitatively evaluate patient satisfaction with the surgical outcome.

Main Methods:

• Twenty adult patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion underwent AMO setback.
• Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms were used to compare soft-tissue changes.
• Patient acceptance was measured using the Surgical Rating Scale (SRS).

Main Results:

• Noticeable soft-tissue changes occurred post-AMO.
• Statistically significant differences were observed in the nasolabial angle, upper lip, and lower lip inclination.
• All patients reported moderate satisfaction with the surgical results.

Conclusions:

• Anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO) leads to quantifiable soft-tissue changes, particularly affecting the nasolabial angle and lip posture.
• Patient satisfaction is moderate, highlighting the importance of managing expectations regarding soft-tissue adaptation.
• Surgeons should be aware of these predictable soft-tissue adaptations for optimal surgical outcomes.