A retrospective analysis of the complication rate after SARPE in 111 cases, and its relationship to patient age at surgery.

PURPOSE: Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) is a well-known surgical intervention for treating maxillary transverse deficiencies (MTDs). This investigation aimed to evaluate the complication rate after SARPE, and its relationship to patient age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on multivariate analyses, the complication rate after SARPE and its association with increasing age in 111 patients with MTD was evaluated. In every case the following variables were evaluated: age, gender, concomitant surgery, expander appliance, perioperative and dental complications, pain score, neurosensory disturbances (NSDs), postoperative excessive haemorrhage, length of hospital stay, infection, oronasal communication, palatal ulceration, asymmetrical maxillary expansion, mal- or non-union of the bone, lacrimation, and mechanical failure. RESULTS: Overall, 58 (52.25%) patients had minor-to-severe complications. The most common complications were NSDs (27.03%) and postoperative pain (13.51%). Multivariate analysis showed that the frequency of dental complications (mean age 35.9; SD = 10.5140; p = 0.0021 *), NSDs in general (mean age 30; SD = 9.9827; p = 0.0157 *), NSDs lasting more than 4 weeks (mean age 30,9583; SD = 10.6260; p = 0.0105 *), and NSDs lasting more than 1 year (mean age 36.2; SD = 8.7579; p = 0.0201 *) increased significantly with patient age. CONCLUSION: Detailed data analysis revealed a limited number of severe, long-term complications after SARPE. However, careful patient selection is recommended in elderly cases.