Maxillary sinus recovery and nasal ventilation after Le Fort I osteotomy: a prospective clinical, endoscopic, functional and radiographic evaluation

The condition of the maxillary sinus is not routinely assessed before a Le Fort I osteotomy. Performing this procedure in an infected sinus might account for a considerable proportion of the complications, such as excessive bleeding and sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maxillary sinus and nasal ventilation after Le Fort I osteotomy. Twenty patients were evaluated before and 2 months after surgery using validated questionnaires for sinonasal complaints (RSOM-31 and VAS score), nasal endoscopy, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), and a computed tomography (CT) scan. There were no differences in complaints before and 2 months after surgery (P > 0.24). Also, the PNIF did not change significantly (P = 0.10). On CT evaluation before surgery, a previously unnoted sinusitis was diagnosed in two patients. Postoperatively, a thickened sinus mucosa was present in all patients near the osteotomy line, the osteosyntheses, and around sequesters. This report describes maxillary sinus evaluation after Le Fort I osteotomy in a more comprehensive way by using CT. The Le Fort I procedure did not influence already existing physical or mental complaints, and nasal ventilation was not negatively affected. However, evaluation of sinonasal pathology should be emphasized in the preoperative work-up.