Prevalence of infection with the use of β-tricalcium phosphate as a bone graft substitute during Le Fort I osteotomy

While grafting with bone substitutes has been shown to provide greater stability in maxillary advancements, infection remains a concern with any material that is placed in close proximity to the maxillary sinus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of infection in maxillary advancements in which a bone graft substitute (β-tricalcium phosphate; β-TCP) was placed at the time of surgery. This was a retrospective study of all maxillary osteotomies. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included maxillary osteotomies in which β-TCP was not used; group 2 included any maxillary osteotomy where β-TCP was used. The prevalence of infection, slow healing, and need for second surgery due to infection or non union was noted. Fisher's exact test was used to compare differences between the groups. Records were adequate for 438 patients: group 1 included 297 patients, while group 2 included 141. No infections were noted in either group. In group 2, there was one patient who had delayed union/non-union requiring a second procedure. Statically, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.3219). Based on the data obtained in this study, the use of β-TCP does not increase the incidence of infection or complications when used in Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy.