Midfacial Skeleton Research Articles

The tripartite osteotomy of the mid-face for orbital expansion and correction of the deformity in craniostenosis

Summary A new concept of dividing the mid-facial skeleton into three parts (the tripartite osteotomy) permits a more selective correction of the varied deformities characteristic of craniostenosis. Three variations of this type of operation which remedies some of the deficiencies of the Le Fort III advancement osteotomy are discussed.

The role of the cartilaginous nasal septum in midfacial growth

1. 1. The prenatal development of the cranial base and cartilaginous nasal septum in the midsagittal plane was investigated in normal A/Jax mice and A/Jax mice with spontaneous bilateral clefts of the lip and palate. 2. 2. The emergence of the snout as a prominent rodent characteristic coincided with the extension of the angulated cranial base and was most rapid prior to and during closure of the palatal shelves. 3. 3. There was no significant difference in the amount of extension of the cranial base between the normal fetuses and those with bilateral clefts of the lip and palate. Therefore, the amount of extension of the cranial base was not identified as the important etiologic factor in the formation of a cleft secondary palate in A/Jax mice with bilateral cleft lip. 4. 4. No morphologic or chronologic differences in development of the cranial base were detected between the normal and cleft fetuses. 5. 5. The cartilaginous nasal septum was significantly shorter in the fetuses with bilateral clefts of the lip and palate. This shortness appeared to be the result of a localized anteroposterior deficiency in the anterior third of the septal cartilage. 6. 6. This finding in cleft A/Jax fetuses does not support the view that the nasal septum acts as a “growth center” which set the pace for the downward and forward thrust of the midfacial skeleton during early facial growth.

Some observations in the management of recent injuries to the osseous structures of the midfacial skeleton.

Some observations in the management of recent injuries to the osseous structures of the midfacial skeleton.