Le Fort III Distraction With Internal vs External Distractors: A Cephalometric Analysis.

Objective: This study compares the change in midface position following Le Fort III advancement using either rigid external distraction (group 1) or internal distraction (group 2). We hypothesized that, with reference to right-facing cephalometry, internal distraction would result in increased clockwise rotation and inferior displacement of the midface.

Design: Le Fort III osteotomies and standardized distraction protocols were performed on 10 cadaveric specimens per group.