Experience with functionally stable plate osteosynthesis after forward displacement of the upper jaw.

Personal experience gained with functionally stable osteosynthesis after a Le Fort-I osteotomy and segmental osteotomies of the upper jaw are dealt with. Surgical interventions were performed on 40 patients: 7 cases of Le Fort-I osteotomy, 21 cases of Le Fort-I osteotomy with an additional segmental osteotomy, and 17 cases of segmental osteotomies. The osteotomized upper jaw was fixed bilaterally to the zygomatic-alveolar crest and to the pyriform aperture, by osteosythesis plates. Bone grafts were routinely inserted between the maxillary tuberosity and the pterygoid process, and in the region of the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. Duration of the clinical treatment: 2 weeks. 3 weeks after the surgical intervention, a prosthetic replacement in the form of a removable bridge was fitted so that the patient could resume his activities 4 weeks after the operation. In the follow-up period of up to one year, no relapses have occurred. However, the follow-up period is less than 6 months in most patients. In the overwhelming majority of the cases, the osteosynthesis plates are still in situ.