Simplified procedure for aesthetic improvement of facial contour by maxillary augmentation using a porous hydroxyapatite graft for maxillofacial deformity.

A simplified procedure of maxillary augmentation with a porous hydroxyapatite block graft in the anterior aspect of the maxillary parapiriformis area is described. This procedure is an alternative for maxillary advancement osteotomy and is simple to perform for maxillofacial deformity of cleft lip and palate and other deformities. It is effective for facial aesthetics in association with mandibular surgery, such as mandibular setback by sagittal splitting osteotomy, mandibular segmental osteotomy with premolar extraction, bimaxillary osteotomy, and/or genioplasty. We used this procedure on 21 patients (15 for cleft lip and palate jaw deformity and 6 for aesthetic reasons). Although postoperative infection requiring removal of the hydroxyapatite block occurred in one cleft deformity patient, satisfactory results were obtained in all patients.