Binder syndrome: staging of reconstruction and skeletal stability and relapse patterns after LeFort I osteotomy using miniplate fixation

The present study prospectively assesses the skeletal stability in a consecutive series of Binder syndrome patients (n = 7), aged 16 to 20 years, who underwent LeFort I osteotomy fixed with miniplates and the associated morbidity. All patients underwent a one-piece LeFort I osteotomy fixed with four miniplates in conjunction with orthodontic treatment during the period of 1986-1992. Five of seven patients underwent iliac grafting to their deficient premaxilla and interpositionally at their osteotomy sites. Six of seven patients underwent bone graft augmentation of their deficient nose (four costochondral, one cranial, and one iliac). Serial cephalometric radiographs were taken at standard intervals after surgery (1 week, 6-8 weeks, 1 year). Horizontal, anterior vertical, and posterior vertical directional changes were then measured at each interval. With the radiographs superimposed, the amount of change was measured by the method of anatomic best fit. The 1-year postoperative cephalograms also were assessed for overjet and overbite. The medical records were reviewed for morbidity. Each patient had a complete set of longitudinal records. Follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 years at the close of the study. Perioperative morbidity was unremarkable, other than one patient whose cranial bone graft dehiscence through the nasal skin required regrafting. The mean (effective) maxillary advancement for the group was 6.0 mm, with 5.9 mm maintained 1 year later. The mean anterior vertical change of the maxilla was 4.2 mm, with 3.1 mm maintained; whereas the mean posterior vertical change was 2.8 mm, with 2.2 mm maintained. All patients maintained a positive overjet and overbite at 1 year. In our series, a staged reconstructive approach for Binder syndrome was carried out in the teenage years and included orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, and nasal augmentation. The extent of skeletal relapse of the LeFort I osteotomy fell within a range that could be managed effectively to maintain a long-term positive overjet and overbite.