Is A LeFort 2 Midface Osteotomy Dangerous?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I don’t have syndrome, but I’m stressed because my mid-eye area is very flat. I know that Lefort3 surgery is very dangerous, but I wonder if Lefort2 is also a very dangerous operation to receive for cosmetic purposes.I know there is a prosthesis in the mid-face, but I really want to have a surgery for Lefort2.

A: No form of a LeFort advancement is ‘dangerous’ but it is a major midface surgery that has its own issues/tradeoffs. Whether one is a candidate for a Lefort II procedure depends on their current occlusal relationship and whether a simultaneous lower jaw advancement needs to be performed with it to keep a good occlusion intact.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana