Computed Tomography Assessment of Maxillary Sinus and Inferior Nasal Airway After Le Fort I Osteotomy

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and predict the factors that affect the postoperative maxillary sinus and inferior nasal cavity conditions after Le Fort I osteotomy. Subjects and Methods: The rate of aerated (healthy) sinus area and the inferior nasal airway area were calculated by preoperative computed tomography measurements and at 1 week and 1 year postoperatively. Factors predicting the rate of aerated sinus area and the ratio of the inferior nasal cavity area after 1-week were examined using these variables. Results: The subjects consisted of 112 patients (224 sides) who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with sagittal split ramus osteotomy. The rate of aerated sinus area after 1 week was significantly correlated with sex, age, and amount of blood loss (P < 0.0001). The rate of the inferior nasal cavity area after 1 week was significantly correlated with the anterior impaction amount of the maxilla and the preoperative rate of the inferior nasal airway area (P= 0.0017). Conclusions: This study suggests that attention should be paid to females, older patients, and the amount of blood loss to prevent sinusitis, and larger maxillary impaction at the anterior site should be carefully planned to prevent severe nasal obstruction immediately after Le Fort I osteotomy.