Minimally invasive Le Fort III distraction.

Recent applications of distraction osteogenesis to the Le Fort III osteotomy in patients with craniofacial dysostosis have proven promising (1-3). Distraction has allowed the midfacial segment to be brought further forward and maintained in position with greater stability when compared with the standard technique of intraoperative advancement. Because no bone grafts or plates must be placed, access incisions are necessary only for performance of the osteotomy. In an effort to minimize the morbidity of the procedure, we have begun performing the Le Fort III osteotomy without the coronal incision. Instead, the nasofrontal junction is approached using the medial aspect of an upper blepharoplasty incision. A lower eyelid and gingivobuccal sulcus incision are also used to complete the osteotomy. This technique has resulted in a shorter operative time and decreased blood loss when compared with the Le Fort III distraction procedure using the standard coronal incision.