Midface Reconstruction 

Midface hypoplasia or restricted growth may develop in syndromic craniosynostotic patients like those diagnosed with Crouzon, Apert, Pfeiffer, Saethre-Chotzen, Carpenter, Antley-Bixler or other syndromes. Even with correction of craniosynostosis (premature cranial suture fusion) as an infant, midface deformities may develop by 4-10 years of age. This may result in eye problems including: proptosis (eyes bulging), strabismus (wandering eye), dry eyes, corneal ulcers or even blindness (if left untreated). In addition, midface growth distrubance may lead to upper airway obstruction with problems of sleep apnea (unable to breath at night).

A Le Fort III advancement (midface region) is effective in relieving this growth disturbance. This may be performed using distraction osteogenesis (gradual lengthening) in the growing patient or as a one staged procedure in conjunction with a Le Fort I osteotomy in the mature patient (finished growing). Sometimes, advancements of both the midface and forehead region are required for adequate correction of a patient's facial deformity and a Monobloc advancement procedure is used.