Unusual complications of the Le Fort I osteotomy

Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995 Nov;96(6):1289-96; discussion 1297.

Abstract

In this report we describe three very different and interesting complications of the Le Fort I osteotomy. The first case is of a unilateral third nerve palsy developing as a result of a carotid-cavernous fistula and false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. The second complication to be reported is total unilateral blindness. The third case is one of total avulsion of a lateral segment of the palate in a patient with a complete bilateral cleft of the primary and secondary palates. All complications were the result of a Le Fort I osteotomy performed for correction of midface hypoplasia secondary to congenital cleft lip and palate. The literature is reviewed, and the pathomechanics of each injury are hypothesized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blindness / etiology
  • Cleft Lip / surgery*
  • Cleft Palate / surgery*
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxilla / abnormalities*
  • Maxilla / diagnostic imaging
  • Maxilla / surgery*
  • Osteotomy / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed