Evaluation of the facial soft tissues following surgically assisted maxillary expansion associated with the simple V-Y suture

Abstract

Bone movement in orthognathic surgery gives rise to changes in the positions of the adjacent soft tissues, with such change varying according to the location, direction, and degree of movement. The behavior of the soft tissues, especially the labial tissues, can be influenced by the type of suture employed. This study sought to characterize alterations induced into the soft tissue, by the effect of different suturing techniques, on the upper lip in patients undergoing surgically assisted maxillary expansion. Twenty-three patients were divided into 2 groups and analyzed, with group 1 receiving conventional suturing and group 2 receiving the simple V-Y suture. The results were determined through cephalometric tracings conducted immediately preoperative and a minimum of 6 months postoperative. From these results, it was possible to detect a tendency toward more posterior positioning of the upper lip with this procedure, which can be compensated by the V-Y suture. Alterations in the vertical position of the soft tissues were not significant.