Stability of Le Fort I osteotomy in class III cases with retropositioned maxillae

Of 65 adult class III patients with retropositioned maxillae subjected to Le Fort I Osteotomy, 16 were selected at random for a clinical and cephalometric examination of postoperative stability. Lateral head plates prior to treatment, 6 weeks post-treatment and 1 year post-treatment were compared. In 9 out of the 16 cases 5 year post-treatment head plates were available. Statistical evaluation of the longitudinal differences revealed the repositioned maxilla to remain stable. The upper lip, however, lost 44% of its postoperative advanced position within the 1st year subsequent to the operation. In the period between 1 year and 5 years postoperatively no further cephalometric changes of any significance were recorded.