Evaluation of pterygomaxillary disjunction on skeletal and dental changes after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) with disjunction of the pterygomaxillary suture is a procedure widely used in maxillofacial surgery. However, the pterygomaxillary disjunction (PD) procedure has often been deemed risky. The actual necessity and effectiveness of PD in SARME remain subjects of debate, with some studies suggesting that sufficient expansion can be achieved without it. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the scientific literature regarding the effects of PD on skeletal and dental changes after SARME.

METHODS

The systematic review followed the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify relevant articles published in different databases. The study conducted a comprehensive literature search across seven databases: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration Library, and Google Scholar. The selected studies evaluated the effect of the extent of expansion and the stability of SARME with PD, as well as the skeletal and dental changes associated with the treatment. The intervention cohorts within the sampled population chosen for incorporation into our analysis consisted of individuals who underwent SARME accompanied by PD, whereas the control group underwent SARME devoid of PD. Data were combined in a meta-analysis using the Review Manager 5.3.5. (RevMan) program. A systematic search was performed in seven databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration Library, and Google Scholar).

RESULTS

After applying the selection criteria, seven articles were included in the systematic review, totaling 291 patients. Five articles were selected for meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of anterior and posterior dental expansions. After applying the selection criteria, seven articles were included in the systematic review, totaling 291 patients. Five articles were selected for meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of anterior and posterior dental expansions. Expansion in the previous region was slightly higher in the SARME with PD group compared to the PD-free group (95 % CI: 1.07 to 1.1 mm; p = 0.98). In the posterior region, expansion exceeding 0.11 mm was observed in the SARME with PD group compared to the PD-free group, but without statistical significance (95 % CI: 1.64 to 1.86 mm; p = 0.903).

CONCLUSION

SARME combined with PD proves to be an effective surgical procedure for correcting transverse maxillary deficiencies. However, no statistically significant differences were observed when SARME with and without PD was compared, indicating that SARME with PD can be used especially in cases that require expansion in the posterior region of the maxilla.