Table of Contents
What is the meaning of Le Fort?
Medical Definition of LeFort 1 : a fracture of the maxilla and associated bones of the midface region: a or LeFort I : a horizontal fracture of the maxilla above the apices of the teeth. b or LeFort II : a pyramid-shaped fracture of the maxilla in which the lines of fracture meet at an apex near the bridge of the nose.
How do you examine a Le Fort fracture?
Mobility of the midface may be tested by grasping the anterior alveolar arch and pulling forward while stabilizing the patient with the other hand. The level of a Le Fort fracture (ie, I, II, III) can often be determined by noting the structures of the midface that move in conjunction with the anterior maxilla.
What is Le Fort fracture classification?
The classification of Le Fort fractures is based on the plane of injury: type I is a horizontal injury, type II is a pyramidal injury, and type III is a very extensive transverse injury that often results in a craniofacial dislocation.
Why is it called Le Fort fracture?
Le Fort injuries are complex fractures of the midface, named after Rene Le Fort who studied cadaver skulls that were subjected to blunt force trauma. His experiments determined the areas of structural weakness of the maxilla designated as “lines of weakness” where fractures occurred.
How do you remember Le Fort fractures?
A memory aid is:
- Le Fort I is a floating palate (horizontal)
- Le Fort II is a floating maxilla (pyramidal)
- Le Fort III is a floating face (transverse)
What causes a Le Fort fracture?
Le Fort fractures are typically the result of forceful impact to the face. They are often caused by rapid deceleration car crashes in which the midface strikes a stationary object, such as the car’s dashboard. It can also occur if the midface is struck by a rigid object, such as a baseball bat.
What is a Le Fort surgery?
During the LeFort I surgery, the upper jaw (or maxilla) is separated from the rest of the face and repositioned. This repositioning of the bones of the face is also called orthognathic surgery. Once separated, the upper jaw can be moved up, down, forward, backward, tilted, or turned.
Why is Le Fort done?
LeFort 1 osteotomy with horizontal advancement is used for the majority of patients to correct their malocclusion. This surgery is commonly performed in the last stages of treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate. They have significant class III malocclusion as well as a narrow dental arch and palatal collapse.
How long is Lefort surgery?
The length of surgery depends on upon the complexity of the case. Routine surgery on one jaw typically takes one to two hours. Surgery that involves multiple procedures may take as long as three to five hours.
What is a Le Fort fracture classification?
Le Fort fracture classification. Le Fort fractures are fractures of the midface, which collectively involve separation of all or a portion of the midface from the skull base. In order to be separated from the skull base, the pterygoid plates of the sphenoid bone need to be involved as these connect the midface to the sphenoid bone dorsally.
What is the history of Lefort fracture?
Initially described in 1901 by French surgeon René Le Fort (1869-1951), LeFort fractures represent a group of midface fractures that occur following blunt trauma and follow areas of structural weakness. Common etiologies include assault, facial trauma in contact sports, motor vehicle accidents (MVA), or falls from significant heights.
What is Le Fort fracture of the maxilla?
Le Fort fracturebilateral horizontal fracture of the maxilla. Le Fort fractures are classified as follows: Le Fort I fracture,a horizontal segmented fracture of the alveolar process of the maxilla, in which the teeth are usually contained in the detached portion of the bone.
What is a fort III fracture?
Le Fort III fracture, a fracture in which the entire maxilla and one or more facial bones are completely separated from the craniofacial skeleton; such fractures are almost always accompanied by multiple fractures of the facial bones. longitudinal fracture one extending along the length of the bone. See illustration.