RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of two surgical techniques for controllong nasal width after Le Fort I osteotomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-five patients who received the Le Fort I osteotomy have been included in this study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group received extraoral ABS, and the control group received traditional intraoral ABS. 3D photos of the patient's face were taken before operation and at postoperative 3 months. Alar width was measured on the 3D photos. Data was reported as means and standard deviations, and statistic analysis was done by using student t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with presurgical data, G. lat-G. lat increased by (2.66 +/- 1.47) mm, Al-Al increased by (2.20 +/- 1.22) mm and Sbal-Sbal increased by (1.30 +/- 1.33) mm in experimental group. G. lat-G. lat increased by (1.38 +/- 1.29) mm, Al-Al increased by (1.06 +/- 0.95) mm and Sbal-Sbal increased by (0.36 +/- 1.33) mm in the control group. There was significant difference between two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The surgical technique of ABS is the most important factor for determining the postoperative alar width. Both techniques have better effect on the Sbal-Sbal width control than the G. lat-G. lat and Al-Al width control. Traditional intraoral ABS can more effectively control the alar width. Both techniques cannot completely control the alar base widening after Le Fort I osteotomy.</p>