Surgical treatment of vertical hypoplasia of the superior maxilla

Among the malformations affecting head and face, vertical hypoplasia of the supramaxilla is comparatively infrequent. Diagnosis of this malformation can be made with inspection and confirmed by radiograms of the head in the AP and lateral projections. Surgery is planned according to the cephalometric evaluation devised in the Maxillo Facial surgery Department of the La Sapienza University in Rome. Such method consists in the study of the bone structure and subsequent plan of bone movements at surgery. To correct this malformation, the Authors suggest to increase the height of the maxilla by performing a Le Fort I osteotomy followed by stabilization with metal miniplates and no material filling between the margins of the osteotomy. One year follow-up and cephalometry in five patients indicates good stability of the bones and healing of the osteotomy. The newly formed tissue fills the gap and contributes to the stability of the maxilla after removal of the metal plates.