MIXED VERSUS CLASSIC LE FORT FRACTURE PATTERNS: OPERATIVE BURDEN AND OCCLUSAL OUTCOMES IN 72 PATIENTS

This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether classic and mixed Le Fort fracture patterns differ in surgical complexity and outcomes. Among 72 adults undergoing occlusion-guided ORIF, mixed fractures were substantially more common than classic symmetrical patterns (79.2% vs 20.8%). Mixed fractures required significantly longer operative time, more frequent postoperative intermaxillary fixation, and longer hospital stays. However, three-month malocclusion rates were low and similar between groups. These findings indicate that CT-defined mixed Le Fort patterns increase treatment burden but can achieve comparable occlusal outcomes when managed with careful occlusion-guided reduction and selective IMF.