The role of gelfoam and surgicel in cases of Le Fort I advancement in achieving effective haemostatais

Abstract

A complication rate of 6.1% exists with Le Fort I osteotomies and 4% of it accounts for vascular events. A Le Fort I osteotomy typically involves the posterior maxilla which houses the pterygoid plexus and is a major source of bleeding. Effective hemostasis is essential to curb persistent bleeding, minimize operative time, delayed wound healing and infection. In this literature, we have devised a simple technique of gelfoam wrapped in surgicel being placed into the pterygoid region to control persistent capillary leak in Le Fort I advancement cases.

Keywords

• Orthognathic surgery
• Le Fort I surgery
• Surgicel and gelfoam
• Effective hemostasis