Respiratory outcome in faciosynostotic patients: A comparison between Le Fort III and monobloc advancement with distraction

Upper airway stenosis in patients with factocraniosynostosis is very common and often severe. Midface advancement with distraction can improve respiration dramatically and prevent a tracheotomy or result in its ablation. In this study we reviewed the respiratory outcome between Le Fort III with distraction and monobloc advancement with distraction in 55 faciocraniosynostotic patients. Early respiratory results of both procedures were very good and stable at Ion 4 a-term follow up. The choice between a Le Fort III and a monobloc procedure is made based on presenting morphology, previous surgery and age. Both can be expected to give a long-lasting improvement of upper air-way obstruction.