COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF TITANIUM AND BIORESORBABLE FIXATION IN LEFORT I OSTEOTOMY: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY
Abstract
ANNOTATION
LeFort I osteotomy is a widely used surgical procedure for correcting maxillary
deformities. Stable fixation is essential for maintaining postoperative skeletal
positioning. Titanium plates provide excellent mechanical strength but remain
permanently in the facial tissues and often require removal. Bioresorbable plates were
developed to avoid long-term hardware retention, although concerns remain regarding
their initial stability. This study compares titanium and bioresorbable fixation systems
in patients undergoing LeFort I osteotomy. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were
conducted to assess skeletal stability, postoperative comfort, and complications. The
findings show that titanium fixation offers superior early stability, while bioresorbable
fixation improves patient comfort and eliminates the need for secondary removal.
Long-term skeletal stability was comparable in both groups, indicating that both
systems are effective and should be chosen based on patient needs and surgeon
preference.
References
References
1. Proffit WR, Turvey TA, Phillips C. The hierarchy of stability and predictability in
orthognathic surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;75(5):923–930.
2. Cheung LK, Chua HDP. A randomized controlled trial on titanium versus
bioresorbable plates in orthognathic surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg.
2019;48(3):345–352.
3. Uechi J, Yamashita Y, Kuroda S. Stability after LeFort I osteotomy: a systematic
review. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2020;48(2):152–161.
4. Landes CA, Ballon A, Roth C. Maxillary osteosynthesis with biodegradable plates.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117(7):2033–2045.
5. Yerit KC, Enislidis G, Turhani D. Stability of biodegradable fixation in
orthognathic surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;34(1):18–23.
6. Chrcanovic BR. Fixation methods in LeFort I osteotomy: a literature review. Oral
Maxillofac Surg. 2014;18(2):107–116.
7. Eppley BL. Resorbable fixation systems for orthognathic surgery. J Craniofac Surg.
2015;26(1):26–32.
8. Kim YK, Yi YJ, Choi JH. Clinical stability of resorbable plates in orthognathic
surgery. J Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 2018;125(4):317–324.