Delayed presentation of pseudoaneurysm after Le Fort I osteotomy

Correlations Between the Pterygomaxillary Junction and Appropriate Osteotome Placement Angles During Junction Separation in Le Fort I Osteotomy

PURPOSE

The authors evaluated pterygomaxillary junction angles across malocclusion patterns and identified the optimal technique for effective pterygomaxillary junction separation during Le Fort I osteotomy, focusing on appropriate osteotome angles and clinical applications.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 211 patients with malocclusion who had undergone Le Fort I osteotomy at Chang Gung Craniofacial Center between December 2015 and September 2023. The patients were stratified by sex and malocclusion class (class I, II, or III). Preoperative cone-beam computed tomography was performed to measure pterygomaxillary junction angles at 2 axial levels: the posterior nasal spine level and the lower border level corresponding to the maxillary tuberosity. Le Fort I osteotomy involving an angle oscillating saw, and a curved-tip Dautrey osteotome was performed, ensuring the precise placement of the osteotome and tilting of the osteotome handle during pterygomaxillary junction separation. The correlations between the pterygomaxillary junction and appropriate osteotome placement angles were investigated.

RESULTS

Among the 211 patients, 5%, 15%, and 80% had class I, class II, and class III malocclusion, respectively. At the posterior nasal spine level, the average angles of the pterygomaxillary junction relative to the coronal plane were 16.76, 19.16, and 17.82 degrees in class I, class II, and class III groups, respectively; the corresponding angles at the lower border level were 27.29, 27.80, and 25.91 degrees. No significant between-class or between-sex differences were observed in pterygomaxillary junction angles; however, significant differences were noted between the 2 levels.

CONCLUSION

Our surgical technique was both safe and effective for pterygomaxillary junction separation.

"Signs and Symptoms Tell All"-Pseudoaneurysm as a Cause of Postoperative Bleeding after Orthognathic Surgery-Report of a Case and a Systematic Review of Literature

PURPOSE

Pseudoaneurysms are one of the rare complications that can be encountered after the orthognathic surgery. We are presenting a new case of pseudoaneurysm of bilateral sphenopalatine artery after Bijaw Surgery in a young male and a systematic review of all the cases in the literature emphasizing on signs and symptoms, epistaxis or bleeding episodes and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic research strategy was planned according to the PRISMA guidelines, and articles were taken from 1986 to September, 2019. A total of 899 articles were selected for screening, out of which only 26 articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. These were included in the study for qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

Most PAs were associated with Lefort I osteotomy (69.7%), followed by sagittal split osteotomy (24.24%). Average intraoperative blood was 635 ml. Maximum number of episodes of epistaxis/swelling or bleeding occurred in second week. Mean bleeding episodes were 2.58 ± 0.996. The arteries commonly affected were internal maxillary artery (42%), sphenopalatine artery (27.27%), facial artery (15.15%), descending palatine artery (12.12%), internal carotid artery (9.09%) and infraorbital artery (3.03%). Embolization was treatment of choice in 81.81% cases.

CONCLUSION

If a patient has recurrent epistaxis or swelling after orthognathic surgery, it is advisable to go for diagnostic imaging like angiography without any delay. In recent times, advanced techniques and expertise are readily available for early diagnosis and management of pseudoaneurysm.

Endsocopic internal maxillary artery cauterization in a patient with severe posterior epistaxis: A case report

Epistaxis from the posterior superior region of the nasal cavity might be fatal in some cases. It is particularly severe in an individual with hypertension, arterial aneurysm of traumatic origin, and bleeding from posterior lateral nasal artery, which is frequently difficult to reach and ligate directly on a bleeding area. Certain cases have been reported in which the bleeding could be stopped only by ligating/embolization of the external carotid artery or the internal maxillary artery at its branching off from the external carotid artery. Despite the multiple anastomoses, the effect of such ligation or cauterization is effective if properly done. We present a case of a 25-year-old young man with a 3-month history of recurrent epistaxis resulting from an internal maxillary artery aneurysm following trauma. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and successful endoscopy treatment of posterior epistaxis are presented.

Anterior Maxillary Segmental Distraction Osteogenesis for Treatment of Maxillary Hypoplasia in Patients With Repaired Cleft Palate

OBJECTIVE

This study is to present experiences of using anterior maxillary segmental distraction osteogenesis (AMSDO) with internal distractors for treatment of maxillary hypoplasia in patients with repaired cleft palate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients of maxillary hypoplasia with repaired cleft palate were included in this study, and underwent AMSDO. Cephalometric analysis and speech quality assessments were performed to evaluate the changes after AMSDO and its long-term effect on stability.

RESULTS

All cases had successfully accomplished AMSDO. The average SNA (°), NA-FH (°), ANS-PNS (millimeter), and Overjet (millimeter) have change to 80.41°, 89.51°, 55.64 mm, and 2.52 mm, respectively (P < 0.01). Maxillary advancement has reached 13.80 mm on average (ranging from 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm). Speech quality assessment demonstrated that nasal resonance, speech articulation, nasal emission, intelligibility, and velopharyngeal function did not get worse after AMSDO.

CONCLUSIONS

AMSDO has unique advantages as follows: can effectively correct maxillary hypoplasia in patients with repaired cleft palate; can create a space for postoperative orthodontic treatment to solve the crowding teeth situation; the postoperative velopharyngeal function and speech quality show no significant change. The results shown AMSDO is an effective and appropriate treanment for curing maxillary hypoplasia in patients with repaired cleft palate.

LeFort I Osteotomy

The LeFort I osteotomy is one of the most commonly used procedures to correct midface deformities. It allows for correction in three dimensions including advancement, retrusion, elongation, and shortening. It is indicated, often in conjunction with mandibular surgery, for class II and III malocclusion, facial asymmetry, obstructive sleep apnea, and maxillary atrophy. Before surgery, proper orthodontics and surgical planning should be undertaken to ensure adequate outcomes. Overall, the surgery is widely used due to its low complication profile and reliable long-term results.

Pseudoaneurysm of internal maxillary artery--an untold complication following distraction osteogenesis--a case report

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery is very rare and only a handful of cases have been reported in the literature thus far and none after placement of a prosthetic condyle and a distraction device. This case report highlights the need for early diagnosis, appropriate steps in management, and a multidisciplinary approach in a tertiary care center in treating this life-threatening condition and proper treatment planning to prevent this condition.

Massive epistaxis due to pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery: a rare post-operative complication of orthognathic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To introduce pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery as the possible aetiology of acute massive epistaxis in patients with a history of orthognathic surgery accompanied by Le Fort I osteotomy.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

This paper reports a case of acute life-threatening epistaxis following Le Fort I osteotomy. Computed tomography and angiography showed a pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery, which was successfully treated by endovascular embolisation.

CONCLUSION

Although a pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery following Le Fort I osteotomy is extremely rare, it should be considered as the possible aetiology of acute massive epistaxis in patients with a history of orthognathic surgery accompanied by Le Fort I osteotomy.

Pseudoaneurysm of the facial artery occurred after mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomy

Introduction

Pseudoaneurysms are caused by rupture of arteries with extravasation of blood. The compressed perivascular tissue forms the wall of aneurysmal sac. Pseudoaneurysm directly related with surgical procedure of sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) was reported quite rarely especially related with facial artery during the vertical osteotomy.

Case report

SSRO was carried out for a 19-year-old male; the patient visited the emergency room with notable swelling 3 weeks after the surgery. We experienced severe intra-oral bleeding with surgical exploration. Angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right facial artery that might be related with vertical osteotomy over lateral cortex of the mandibular body during orthognathic surgery. This implies that the minor vascular trauma from vertical osteotomy of the mandibular body during the conventional orthognathic surgery might cause later development of pseudoaneurysm.

Maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm after Le Fort I osteotomy: treatment using transcatheter arterial embolization

Life-threatening hemorrhage is a rare complication after Le Fort I osteotomy. However, owing to the gravity of this complication, all surgeons who perform Le Fort I osteotomy should be aware of the potential for this complication and options for its resolution. The following case report describes an episode of subacute, life-threatening bleeding, after a Le Fort I osteotomy for the treatment of midface hypoplasia. Emergent angiographic evaluation demonstrated an internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm with fistulous drainage via the cavernous sinus. This was treated by arterial embolization in which the pseudoaneurysm was packed with microcoils. This report reaffirms the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for pseudoaneurysm as a possible etiology of delayed postoperative bleeding in patients after craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Massive repeated nose bleeding after bimaxillary osteotomy

In LeFort I surgery, the separation of the pterygomaxillary junction is done by osteotomy. Although the osteotome is positioned too close to the maxillary artery and its branches during pterygomaxillary separation, postoperative complications from vascular injuries are uncommon. We describe an unusual occurrence of a maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm after LeFort I and bilateral sagittal split osteotomies for maxillary advancement and mandibular setback as well as (anterior sliding) genioplasty. In a patient with class III occlusion and midface retrusion, the significant bleeding began 10 days postoperatively, which was controlled by anterior and posterior nasal packing. The bleeding recurred 28 days after surgery; thus, vascular anatomy in the pterygomaxillary area is reviewed, pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed on selective carotid angiography and successfully treated by embolization; and 2-year follow up was uneventful.

Unusual late vascular complications of sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus

Intraoperative or early postoperative vascular complications are not uncommon problems in sagittal split osteotomies of the mandibular ramus; however, reports of late complications are considerably rarer. Here, we present two patients who sustained late vascular complications after the sagittal split osteotomy. The first patient had a delayed bleeding, which presented itself as a rapidly expanding swelling of the left cheek from the left external carotid artery 18 days postoperatively. During exploration, a 2 mm laceration of the external carotid artery located just proximal to the bifurcation of the internal maxillary artery and the superficial temporal artery was successfully repaired. The prominent bony spike of the cut end of medial cortex of the set-back mandibular ramus was found against the arterial wall and could possibly have caused the progressive necrosis of the wall with subsequent spontaneous rupture. The second patient suffered from a mild noise in the right ear 2 weeks after the initial surgery; however, a pre-auricular arteriovenous fistula between the right external carotid artery and the external jugular vein was discovered 1 year postoperatively. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography, and the lesion was treated successfully by therapeutic embolization at that time. To avoid vascular injury, sufficient protection of the soft tissue during exposure of the mandibular ramus is mandatory. In addition, the direction of the cut of medial cortex is suggested to avoid the cranialward inclination that creates a sharp, bony end against the artery. Awareness of the possible late vascular complications to facilitate early detection and management is also important.

Intra- and perioperative complications of the LeFort I osteotomy: a prospective evaluation of 1000 patients

The LeFort I osteotomy has become a routine procedure in elective orthognathic surgery. The authors report the occurrence of intra- or perioperative complications in a series of 1000 consecutive LeFort I osteotomies performed within a 20-year period. In total, 64 (6.4%) patients experienced complications. Anatomical complications affected 26 (2.6%), patients, including 16 (1.6%) with a deviation of the nasal septum and 10 (1.0%) with non-union of the osteotomy gap. Extensive bleeding that required blood transfusion occurred in 11 (1.1%) patients exclusively after bimaxillary corrections; in 1 patient a ligation of the external carotid artery became necessary. Significant infections such as abscesses or maxillary sinusitis occurred in 11 (1.1%) patients. No patient experienced an osteomyelitis. Ischemic complications affected 10 (1.0%) patients, including 2 (0.2%) who experienced an aseptic necrosis of the alveolar process and 8 (0.8%) who, under critical revision, were affected by retractions of the gingiva. Five (0.5%) patients experienced an insufficient fixation of the osteosynthesis material. The risk and the extent of complications was enhanced in patients with anatomical irregularities (eg, in patients with craniofacial dysplasias, orofacial clefts, or vascular anomalies). The risk of ischemic complications was enhanced in extensive dislocations or transversal segmentation of the maxilla. The authors conclude that patients with major anatomical irregularities should be informed about an enhanced risk of Le-Fort I osteotomies. Preoperative planning avoiding transversal segmentation or extensive dislocations of the maxilla should reduce the occurrence of complications. For healthy individuals, the risk of complications with the LeFort I osteotomy is considered low.

Acute severe epistaxis due to iatrogenic maxillary pseudoaneurysm. Emergency control of haemorrhage by carotid compression and early recurrence after coil embolization

SUMMARY

Internal maxillary arterial or branch transection is a potential complication of maxillofacial surgery. We describe one such patient who developed acute massive nasal haemorrhage, an episode of which was controlled clinically just prior to performing endovascular embolization by employing the simple but effective clinical manoeuvre of manual carotid arterial compression. Six weeks later the haemorrhage recurred despite a seemingly adequate embolization of the affected arteries with microcoils and Spongistan due to re-establishment of flow through the coils.