Flap design and the LeFort III osteotomy: blood flow investigation

The effect on local blood flow of flap design in a LeFort III osteotomy was examined in this study. The radioactive microsphere technique was used to make serial flow determinations in two groups of macaque monkeys. The use of seven skin and mucosal incisions was compared with a coronal flap procedure. Significant blood flow reductions to the midface segment where measured when a coronal incision was the sole access in performance of the osteotomies. The findings indicate that the multiple incision approach is more biologically sound than the coronal incision approach in the LeFort III osteotomy. Important information about the surgical techniques can be determined from the data and applied to a more successful performance of the LeFort III osteotomy.