Nasolabial soft tissue effects of segmented and non-segmented Le Fort I osteotomy using a modified alar cinch technique-a cone beam computed tomography evaluation.

The aim of this study was to verify soft tissues changes and the effect of a minimally invasive surgical technique in the nasolabial region after segmented and non-segmented Le Fort I osteotomy, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) volume surfaces. Two groups were evaluated: group 1, bimaxillary surgery with maxillary segmentation (n=40); group 2, bimaxillary surgery without maxillary segmentation (n=40). In both groups, a specific alar cinching technique was used to control nasal base broadening. CBCT evaluation was performed at three different treatment time points: T0, 1 month before surgery; T1, 1 month after surgery; T2, 1year after surgery. The results showed statistically significant differences in the nasolabial area (P<0.001). For group 1, the mean change in alar base width (Al(inf)-Al(inf)) was 1.31+/-1.40mm at T1 and 0.93+/-1.77mm at T2; for group 2 these values were 1.12+/-2.01mm at T1 and 0.54+/-1.54mm at T2. For group 1, the mean changes in inter-alar width (Al-Al) were 1.68+/-1.46mm at T1 and 1.49+/-1.33mm at T2; for group 2, they were 2.22+/-1.93mm at T1 and 1.34+/-1.79mm at T2. The alar cinch technique proposed here appears to be effective in controlling nasolabial soft tissue widening.