The stabilization of osteotomized maxillary segments with Luhr mini-plates in secondary cleft surgery

This is a report on growth disturbance in the facial skeleton in patients with lip and palate, and on the possibilities for their secondary correction. Experience shows that extensive operative intervention in the maxilla and cartilaginous nasal skeleton in early childhood increases the probability of malformation of the mid-face in this group of patients. In order to correct facial deformities, mid-facial osteotomies with considerable displacement of the osteotomized segments are necessary. Functionally stable fixation of the bone segments has been performed so far in 17 patients undergoing Le Fort I osteotomies and on two patients undergoing Le Fort III osteotomies, utilizing the Luhr mini-plate-system. Information is given concerning the techniques and procedures, and on experience to date.