Surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion of narrowed maxillae: a case-cohort study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate a consecutive cohort of surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion cases to determine the indications, results and relapse associated with the procedure.

Methods: The records of 21 cases of SARME treated by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic units at the University of Adelaide were examined. Overall expansion and subsequent relapse were compared on study models and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs against the variables of age, gender, surgeon, surgical technique, final occlusion and the retention period. Statistical analysis was performed on paired variables.

Results: Maximum expansion was gained across the intermolar width and the most relapse identified across the canines. Male patients showed statistically greater stability across the intercanine width. There were otherwise no significant relationships between the treatment variables, stability or relapse.

Conclusions: SARME is a safe surgical technique for narrowed maxillae requiring intermolar expansion of 6 mm or more. Overexpansion of up to 60% is required to compensate for relapse.