Long-term stability after inferior maxillary repositioning by miniplate fixation

Abstract

Nineteen patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy and inferior maxillary repositioning. Miniplates were used to maintain the maxilla in its new position. The patients were followed from 12 to 58 months, postoperatively. Fourteen patients were considered to be stable over the long term. Five patients had a long-term relapse of more than 30%. A tendency towards greater relapse was seen in patients with more than 5 mm inferior repositioning, and in patients who had concurrent segmental osteotomies of the maxilla. In spite of the use of miniplates, there continues to be an element of unpredictability with regard to vertical relapse after inferior maxillary repositioning, and this may be related to soft-tissue influences.