Treatment of refractory non-union after maxillary osteotomy: A case report

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019 Nov;120(5):493-496. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2018.11.017. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Abstract

Maxillary non-union is a rare complication that occurs after an orthognathic surgery such as Le Fort I osteotomy. Here, we report a case of refractory non-union after maxillary osteotomy, which required a second surgery with bone graft. A 33-year-old man who had undergone bimaxillary osteotomy complained of an abnormal sensation in the right alar part about 1 year after the surgery. The patient was diagnosed as having maxillary non-union. Although surgical stabilization was performed using titanium plates, the non-union remained. The re-fusion surgery was performed about 3 years after the bimaxillary osteotomy with autologous bone graft using a biodegradable fixation system. At the 1-year follow up, the maxillary non-union was healed both clinically and radiographically. Re-fusion surgery using bone graft with biodegradable fixation might be an effective treatment option in cases of prolonged non-union that becomes evident after a long period following the initial maxillary osteotomy.

Keywords: Biodegradable plate; Bone graft; Complication; Floating maxilla; Maxillary non-union; Orthognathic surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxilla
  • Maxillary Osteotomy*
  • Orthognathic Surgical Procedures*
  • Osteotomy, Le Fort