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Le Fort I Fracture — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateAnatomy (Head & Neck)Le Fort I FractureMFDS Part 1

Which fracture line best describes a classical Le Fort I fracture of the maxilla?

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Correct answer: CA transverse line above the maxillary tooth apices through the piriform rims, zygomaticomaxillary buttresses and pterygoid plates

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · A = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

A classical Le Fort I fracture is a low, transverse maxillary fracture above the apices of the maxillary teeth. It passes through the piriform rims and lateral maxillary walls, crosses the zygomaticomaxillary buttresses and includes separation at the pterygoid plates. This mobilises the tooth-bearing maxilla and hard palate from the remaining midface. Option B describes the pyramidal Le Fort II pattern, which involves the nasal region, orbital floors and infraorbital rims. Option C describes Le Fort III craniofacial dysjunction. An isolated zygomatic arch fracture (D) does not mobilise the maxilla and is not a Le Fort fracture. Option E is a mandibular symphyseal fracture.

Reference: Ikeda AK, Burke AB. LeFort Fractures. Semin Plast Surg. 2021;35(4):250–255. Figure 1, LeFort fracture patterns. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34819806/