Le Fort I Osteotomy
Pronunciation: luh-FOR wun os-tee-OT-oh-mee
A surgical procedure in which the maxilla is separated from the skull base at a horizontal plane above the tooth roots and repositioned to correct vertical, sagittal, or transverse maxillary discrepancies.
Full Definition
The Le Fort I osteotomy, named after French surgeon René Le Fort, follows the line of the classic Le Fort I fracture pattern just above the apices of the maxillary teeth. The mobilised maxillary segment can be moved superiorly (impacted), inferiorly (downfractured), advanced, set back, or canted to correct a range of dentofacial deformities. It is typically combined with mandibular osteotomy (bimaxillary surgery) in cases requiring correction at both jaws. Editors must use Roman numeral 'I' (not '1' or 'one'), always capitalise 'Le Fort', and use consistent hyphenation: 'Le Fort I' when used as a noun and 'Le Fort I–type' or 'Le Fort I osteotomy' when used attributively.
Usage
Usage note: Always use a Roman numeral 'I' (not the Arabic '1'). Capitalise 'Le Fort' in all uses as it is an eponym. Distinguish clearly from Le Fort II and Le Fort III, which involve higher and more extensive osteotomy levels.
In Context
- "A Le Fort I osteotomy was performed to advance the maxilla 6 mm and impact it 3 mm superiorly." — Orthognathic surgery case summary
- "Authors should use Roman numerals and consistent capitalisation when referring to Le Fort I, II, or III procedures." — Journal style guide