Le Fort I advancement osteotomies of 1 cm or more. How safe or stable?

We studied the results and stability of Le Fort I maxillary osteotomies with advancement of at least 1cm. We analysed prospective data from 32 consecutive patients who were operated on by a single surgeon between 1985 and 2007, and who had mean advancement of the maxilla of 14 mm (range 10-22 mm). Mean relapse for all cases antero-posteriorly was 1mm, 10% (range 0-4mm). Relapse was marginally greater in the 24 patients with a repaired cleft palate (11%) compared with those without a cleft (8%). The results were essentially stable at least one year after surgery and without significant complications. This study indicates that Le Fort I osteotomies of 1cm or more carried out in the way described are safe and stable.