Tympanometric changes after total maxillary osteotomy

With the frequency of orthognathic surgery increasing each year, more is being learned about this surgical art. Although techniques are improving, more acute and chronic complications are being reported after orthognathic surgery. In our institution, it has been noticed that approximately 25% to 30% of our patients experience unilateral or bilateral otalgia after total (Le Fort I) maxillary osteotomy. Recently, two patients with maxillary osteotomies. In both patients acute otitis media developed postoperatively and myringotomies for relief of symptoms were required. This paper reports changes observed in preoperative and postoperative tympanograms of patients who undergo total maxillary osteotomy and offers a possible explanation for these middle ear changes, which are accompanied by otalgia.