Changes of different section area at different parts of upper-airway after Le Fort III osteotomy / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effects of Le Fort III osteotomy and midface distraction osteogenesis (DO) on the upper-airway narrow.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Since 2000, 11 cases (10 cases of Crouzon syndrome and 1 case of Apert syndrome) with severe midface deficiency were treated with Le Fort III osteotomy and midface DO. The section area of different parts of upper-airway were tested by computer assistants image measurement preoperatively and postoperatively. Some patients received sleep function monitoring.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The face appearance and the function of upper-airway improved significantly after Le Fort III osteotomy and Midface DO. The section area at the level of posterior nasal spine and uvula increased obviously after treatment (P < 0.05), however the section area at the level of epiglottis and separation between airway and esophagus were not obviously enlarged (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Midface DO after Le Fort III osteotomy can effectively improve the upper-airway narrow, especially the upper part from uvula.</p>