Le Fort I Osteotomy – Development of Total Maxillary Osteotomies

The last five decades have seen decisive advances in orthognathic surgery in terms of surgical techniques and outcomes in the treatment of dysgnathic maxillofacial malocclusion and deformities. However, despite brilliant technical innovations, the basic surgical principles have remained unchanged. The most common midface osteotomy techniques currently used to correct growth-related sagittal, vertical, and transverse deviations, as in syndromal and nonsyndromal maldevelopments, in various modifications, involve Le Fort osteotomies in the Le Fort I, II, and III levels of the jaws and midface. Segmented and multisegmented maxillae are an option for transversal and vertical corrections. In the vast majority of midface osteotomies, the Le Fort I osteotomy is used. It is a safe and versatile procedure when performed correctly.