Evaluation of local blood flow after total maxillary osteotomy.

The radioactive microsphere method was used to quantitate blood flow to selected maxillary tissues before and during left-side cervical sympathetic stimulation in a group of 15 macaque monkeys, nine of which received Le Fort osteotomies. The sympathetic system to regulate blood flow appears to have been modified and has not returned to its normal regulatory status six weeks after the operation.