Use of a simple handmade retractor to protect the descending palatine artery during removal of posterior osseous interferences for maxillary impaction in Le Fort I osteotomy.

For accurate superior or posterior repositioning of the maxilla in Le Fort I osteotomy, bone removal around the descending palatine artery (DPA) and maxillary tuberosity is required. Because the most common site of hemorrhage in the Le Fort I osteotomy is the posterior maxilla, this bone removal provides surgeons to surgical frustration of DPA injury. When the DPA is injured during the bone removal and the ligation is performed, aseptic necrosis of the maxilla may occur. Therefore, we report the use of a simple handmade retractor to protect the DPA in Le Fort I osteotomy.