Comparison of biomechanical behaviour of maxilla following Le Fort I osteotomy with 2-versus 4-plate fixation using 3D-FEA Part 3: Inferior and anterior repositioning surgery

Erkmen E., Atac M. S., Yuecel E., Kurt A.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, vol.38, no.2, pp.173-179, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 38 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ijom.2008.10.006
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.173-179
  • Keywords: 3D finite element analysis, Le Fort I osteotomy, inferior repositioning surgery, internal fixation, FINITE-ELEMENT-ANALYSIS, RECONSTRUCTED MANDIBULAR MODELS, PIECE LE-FORT-1 OSTEOTOMY, RIGID FIXATION, ENDOSSEOUS IMPLANTS, ADVANCEMENT SURGERY, SKELETAL STABILITY, WIRE FIXATION, STRESSES, SCREW
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Having studied the effect of maxillary advancement and maxillary impaction in parts 1 and 2 of this research, the purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical behavior of different fixation models in inferiorly and anteriorly repositioned maxilla following Le Fort I osteotomy. Two separate three-dimensional finite element models, simulating the inferiorly advanced maxilla at Le Fort 1 level, were used to compare 2- and 4-plate fixation. Model INF-2 resulted in 247 897 elements and 53 247 nodes and INF-4 consisted of 273 130 elements and 59 917 nodes. The stresses occurring in and around the bone and plate-screw complex were computed. The highest Von Mises stresses on the plates and maximum principal stresses on the bones were found in INF-2, especially under horizontal and oblique loads, when compared with INF-4. The present biomechanical study shows that the traditionally used 4-plate fixation technique, following Le Fort I inferior and anterior repositioning surgery, Without bone grafting, provides fewer stress fields on the maxillary bones and fixation materials.