OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of two surgical techniques for controllong nasal width after Le Fort I osteotomy.

METHODSFifty-five patients who received the Le Fort I osteotomy have been included in this study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group received extraoral ABS, and the control group received traditional intraoral ABS. 3D photos of the patient's face were taken before operation and at postoperative 3 months. Alar width was measured on the 3D photos. Data was reported as means and standard deviations, and statistic analysis was done by using student t test.

RESULTSCompared with presurgical data, G. lat-G. lat increased by (2.66 +/- 1.47) mm, Al-Al increased by (2.20 +/- 1.22) mm and Sbal-Sbal increased by (1.30 +/- 1.33) mm in experimental group. G. lat-G. lat increased by (1.38 +/- 1.29) mm, Al-Al increased by (1.06 +/- 0.95) mm and Sbal-Sbal increased by (0.36 +/- 1.33) mm in the control group. There was significant difference between two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical technique of ABS is the most important factor for determining the postoperative alar width. Both techniques have better effect on the Sbal-Sbal width control than the G. lat-G. lat and Al-Al width control. Traditional intraoral ABS can more effectively control the alar width. Both techniques cannot completely control the alar base widening after Le Fort I osteotomy.