Changes in the nasal and labial soft tissues after surgical repositioning of the maxilla

Accurate prediction of postsurgical function and esthetics of the nose and upper lip requires an understanding of the relationship between maxillary surgical movement and soft tissue change. Thirty-two patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomies, some with concomitant mandibular procedures. Preoperative, postoperative, and 1-year postsurgical data derived from cephalometric and nasolabial cast analysis were compared to assess skeletodental changes, soft tissue changes, and stability. A multiple stepwise regression (including age, gender, alar cinch suture, V-Y closure, and contouring of the anterior nasal spine as variables) indicated that accurate prediction equations could be formulated, particularly if the patients were grouped by vector-specific maxillary movements. In general, the base of the nose widened in all patients regardless of the vector of surgical maxillary movement. An associated shortening of the nose was found. The nasolabial angle decreased or remained constant in most patients. The upper lip widened and lengthened at the philtral columns. Narrow noses widened more than did broad noses and alar cinch suturing widened the alar base even more. Results indicated that soft tissue changes associated with maxillary surgery may be more affected by the position of the soft tissue incision and methods used in closure than by the surgically induced hard tissue change.