A Prospective Study on the Effect of Modified Alar Cinch Sutures and V-Y Closure Versus Simple Closing Sutures on Nasolabial Changes After Le Fort I Intrusion and Advancement Osteotomies

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a modified alar cinch suture and V-Y closure (mACVY) have a beneficial effect on labial form after Le Fort I intrusion and advancement osteotomies and whether they result in excessive upward nasal tip rotation. Both are possible effects compared with simple closing sutures (SCS). Patients and Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 56 patients, 31 with mACVY and 25 with SCS. Lateral cephalograms taken immediately before and 18 months after operation were used, measuring horizontal and vertical changes of the following landmarks: anterior and posterior nasal spine, A-point, incision superior, pronasale, subnasale, labiale superior, and stomion superior, as well as angular changes of sella-nasion-pronasale, and changes in upper vermilion exposure. Statistical analysis was performed on intragroup, paired t test, and intergroup differences, unpaired t test (P < .05). Results: The horizontal and vertical changes of labiale superior were significantly larger for mACVY versus SCS, and the angle sella-nasion-pronasale increased in mACVY versus SCS. However, no significant difference was found for vertical changes of the nasal tip. Upper vermilion exposure increased with mACVY versus SCS. Conclusion: mACVY has a beneficial effect on labial form, and excessive upward rotation of the nasal tip is prevented. (C) 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 69:870-876, 2011