Accuracy of mid-face advancement using patient specific osteotomy/plates locating surgical guides with pre-bent plates vs conventional interocclusal wafer in quadrangular Le Forte II osteotomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of quadrangular Le Fort II osteotomy and mid-face advancement utilizing digitally fabricated surgical guides with pre-bent plates compared to the conventional interocclusal wafers. Twenty patients with mid-face deficiency were allocated randomly in two groups: Patient specific osteotomy/plates locating surgical guides and pre-bent titanium mini-plates were utilized in the study group while conventional interocclusal wafers with intraoperatively adapted titanium mini-plates were utilized in the control group. Accuracy of virtual planning was assessed for both groups using computed tomography (CT) scans. Both groups showed accurate plan transfer however computer guided group showed statistically significant higher accuracy and shorter surgical time compared to the conventional group. Osteotomy/plates locating surgical guides and pre-bent plates represents a promising computer guided approach especially for inexperienced surgeons. Nevertheless, its major limitation is the increased overall cost compared to the conventional approach.