Journal of clinical medicine
Subject-Specific Finite Element Modelling of Le Fort I Osteotomy Fixation: Biomechanical Insights Comparing Patient-Specific Implants and Conventional Miniplates
By Rios O, Latreche S, Tillier Y and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Stable fixation is essential to prevent relapse after Le Fort I osteotomy, particularly during the early postoperative period when the fixation system bears the full masticatory load. Patient-specific implants (PSI) have been increasingly used, but their biomechanical behavior under postoperative surgical conditions remains insufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate PSI fixation using subject-specific finite element modelling based on real surgical plans.
Methods
Two patient-specific models were developed from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. For each case, two fixation strategies were simulated: a multiarm patient-specific plate and conventional L-shaped miniplates. Von Mises stress distribution and relative displacement were analyzed for fixation devices and bone segments.