Rigid internal fixation of the jaws in an adult patient with facio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy: report of a case.

This study shows the advantages of rigid internal fixation in the surgical management of a facial deformity in a 29-year-old patient with facio-scapulo-humeral dystrophy (FSHD). After presurgical orthodontic treatment, surgery consisted of a Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy, with 5 mm of anterior movement, and fixation with miniplates. After mandibular sagittal split set-back osteotomy, internal fixation was applied on each side using two bicortical screws; no postoperative intermaxillary fixation was utilized. At the 2-year follow-up, the patient was satisfied with the surgical results; lip competence and occlusion were good. The advantages of using internal rigid fixation are: immediate osseous stability which does not require intermaxillary fixation, improved perioperative airway management (no preoperative tracheostomy) and earlier functional recovery.