IS ULTRASONIC BONE SCALPEL USEFUL IN LE FORT I OSTEOTOMY

Abstract Purpose Safety and precision are two main goals in research to improve bone cutting in maxillofacial surgery. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to analyze the outcomes using the ultrasonic bone scalpel versus piezoelectric surgery and the conventional technique in Le Fort I osteotomy. Materials and methods The authors designed a prospective, randomized, and single blind cohort study. The predictor variable is device used to make the LeFort I osteotomy and was divided into three groups: 1) ultrasonic bone scalpel (BoneScalpelTM by Misonix Inc.), 2) piezoelectric surgery, and 3) conventional (Lindeman burr and reciprocal saw) technique. The primary outcome of the study was cutting time, while secondary outcomes were length of procedure, total blood loss, intraoperative complications and postoperative edema. Other variables of interest were age and sex. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The study sample was composed of 34 patients with a mean age of 21.5 years and 63.3% were female. The mean cutting time (p Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the ultrasonic bone scalpel is an effective ultrasonic bone cutting instrument in Le Fort I osteotomy as evidenced by the significant decrease on the cutting time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative edema compared with the other techniques.