What is Le Forte fracture?
Table of Contents
Le Fort I level fractures are essentially a separation of the hard palate from the upper maxilla due to a transverse fracture running through the maxilla and pterygoid plates at a level just above the floor of the nose.
How do you fix a Le Fort fracture?
Treatment of a Le Fort fracture usually requires prompt stabilization of the fracture followed by surgery, in order to restore the typical facial orientation, re-establish proper positioning of the teeth, restore involved sinus cavities, and reunify the nose and eye socket.
What is Le Fort II fracture?
Definition. The Le Fort II fracture is also referred to as a pyramidal fracture. It commonly extends from the pterygoid plate through the maxilla, through the nasal orbital ethmoid area, and nasofrontal bone. Patients with Le Fort II injuries are often admitted to hospital unconscious and intubated.
How is Le Fort diagnosed?
Practical points
- fracture of the pterygoid plates is mandatory to diagnose Le Fort fractures.
- anterolateral margin of the nasal fossa involvement.
- inferior orbital rim involvement.
- zygomatic arch involvement.
- nasofrontal suture involvement indicates either a type II or III fracture.
How is Le Fort fracture diagnosed?
The mobility of the face should be tested on both sides as well as in the midline. The type of Le Fort fracture is determined by which regions are mobile. A CT scan of facial bones is required to fully and adequately assess the extent of bone and soft tissue involvement.
What bones are included in a Le Fort III fracture?
Le Fort III fracture (transverse), otherwise known as craniofacial dissociation, may follow impact to the nasal bridge or upper maxilla. The salient feature of these fractures, beyond pterygoid plate involvement, is that they invariably involve the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone.
Can Le Fort fractures be unilateral?
Le Fort Type I Transverse fracture through the maxilla above the roots of the teeth, separating teeth from the upper face. These can be unilateral or bilateral.
Why is LeFort done?
LeFort I is used to realign the maxilla with the facial midline, correct the cant, and allow for advancement. Patients suffering from vertical maxillary excess (VME) or deficiency can have the vertical height of the maxilla altered with the LeFort 1 osteotomy.
How are the 3 different types of Le Fort fractures distinguished?
These fractures are classified into three distinct groups based on the direction of the fracture: horizontal, pyramidal or transverse. The pterygoid plate is involved in all types of Le Fort fractures. This may result in a pterygomaxillary separation. The absence of a pterygoid fracture rules out a Le Fort fracture.
What is a 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.
What is the anatomy and mechanism of a Lefort II fracture?
Anatomy and Mechanism of Injury. Le Fort I level fractures are essentially a separation of the hard palate from the upper maxilla due to a transverse fracture running through the maxilla and pterygoid plates at a level just above the floor of the nose. LeFort II fractures transect the nasal bones, medial-anterior orbital walls, orbital floor,…
What is Le Fort’s classification of midfacial fractures?
Figure 1. Le Fort’s classification of midfacial fractures. Le Fort I, horizontal fracture of the maxilla, also known as Guerin fracture. Le Fort II, pyramidal fracture of the maxilla. Le Fort III, craniofacial dysjunction.
What causes a Le Fort Type III fracture?
Le Fort type III fractures are caused by impact to the nasal bridge and upper part of the maxilla Epidemiology Le Fort fractures account for 10% to 20% of all facial fractures.