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Le Fort Fractures
Authors

Bhupendra C. Patel1; Thomas Wright2; Muhammad Waseem3.

Affiliations
1 University of Utah
2 University of Utah
3 Weill Cornell Medicine New York and New York Medical College, Valhalla NY

Last Update: September 12, 2022.

Continuing Education Activity

Le Fort injuries are complex fractures of the midface, named after Rene Le Fort who studied cadaver skulls that were
subjected to blunt force trauma. His experiments determined the areas of structural weakness of the maxilla
designated as "lines of weakness" where fractures occurred. These fractures are classified into three distinct groups
based on the direction of the fracture: horizontal, pyramidal or transverse. The pterygoid plate is involved in all types
of Le Fort fractures. This may result in a pterygomaxillary separation. The absence of a pterygoid fracture rules out a
Le Fort fracture. However, the presence of a pterygoid fracture does not specifically indicate whether a Le Fort
fracture exists. Up to one-third of pterygoid plate fractures do not result from a Le Fort fracture pattern. This activity
reviews the etiology, presentation, evaluation, and management of Le Fort fractures and reviews the role of the
interprofessional team in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing the condition.

Objectives:

Describe the mechanism of injury of Fe Fort fractures.

Review the details of a diagnostic workup for a patient presenting with a likely Le Fort fracture, including any
necessary diagnostic imaging studies.

Outline the treatment options for the treatment and management of Le Fort fractures, depending on patient
population and fracture severity and location.

Explain the importance of interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication
to aid in prompt diagnosis of Le Fortfracture and improving outcomes in patients diagnosed with the condition.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction
Le Fort injuries are complex fractures of the midface, named after Rene Le Fort who studied cadaver skulls that were
subjected to blunt force trauma. His experiments determined the areas of structural weakness of the maxilla
designated as “lines of weakness” where fractures occurred. These fractures are classified into 3 distinct groups based
on the direction of the fracture: horizontal, pyramidal or transverse. The pterygoid plate is involved in all types of Le
Fort fractures. This may result in a pterygomaxillary separation. The absence of a pterygoid fracture rules out a Le
Fort fracture. However, the presence of a pterygoid fracture does not specifically indicate whether a Le Fort fracture
exists. Up to one-third of pterygoid plate fractures do not result from a Le Fort fracture pattern.[1][2][3]

Etiology
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A high percentage of facial injuries occur secondary to injuries, from sports such as football, baseball, and hockey. Le
Fort fractures can also occur secondary to motor vehicle collisions, assault, and fall from a substantial height. Patients
with Le Fort fractures often have associated head and cervical spine injuries.[4][5][6]

Le Fort type I fractures may result from a force directed in a downward direction against the upper teeth.

Le Fort type II fractures result from a force to lower or mid maxilla.

Le Fort type III fractures are caused by impact to the nasal bridge and upper part of the maxilla

Epidemiology
Le Fort fractures account for 10% to 20% of all facial fractures. These may be potentially life-threatening and
disfiguring in patients in whom the injury is significant.

Pathophysiology
Le Fort injuries occur with high-impact force when energy transfer to the body exceeds the tolerance of impacted
tissue. Beware that these complex injuries seldom occur in isolation and are often associated with concomitant or life-
threatening injuries.[7][8][9]

Type of Fractures

Le Fort Type I

These fractures (trans-maxillary fracture) result from a force directed low on the maxillary rim in a downward
direction. This occurs in the horizontal plane at the level of the base of the nose. A direct blow to the lower face
causes fractures that involve all 3 walls of the maxillary sinus and pterygoid processes. The fracture extends around
both maxillary antra, through the nasal septum and the pterygoid plates. This causes palate-facial separation.
However, this fracture does not involve the glabella or zygoma.

Le Fort Type II

This pyramidal fracture occurs due to trauma to the midface. The fracture line begins in the region of the bridge of the
nose (nasion) and extends obliquely through the medial aspect of the orbits and inferior orbital rims. It then continues
posteriorly in a horizontal fashion above the hard palate to involve the pterygomaxillary buttresses, resulting in a
disarticulation of the pyramid-shaped facial skeleton from the remainder of the skull. Note that the zygoma remains
attached to the cranium.

Le Fort Type III

Also called cranial-facial separation, the fracture line in this injury passes from the nasofrontal area across the medial,
posterior, and lateral orbital walls, the zygomatic arch, and through the upper portion of pterygoid plates.

Anatomic Level Classification

Le Fort Type I

Transverse fracture through the maxilla above the roots of the teeth, separating teeth from the upper face. These can
be unilateral or bilateral.

Le Fort Type II

These fractures extend superiorly in the midface to include the nasal bridge, maxilla, lacrimal bones, orbital floor, and
rim. They are pyramidal fractures with teeth at the base and nasal bone at the apex. These fractures are typically
bilateral.

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Le Fort Type III

This type of fracture starts at the bridge of the nose and extends posteriorly along the medial wall of the orbit and the
floor of the orbit, and then through the lateral orbital wall and the zygomatic arch. The fractures run parallel with the
base of the skull, separating the entire midfacial skeleton from the cranial base. This discontinuity between the skull
and the face is termed craniofacial dissociation. This may be associated with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Causes

Le Fort Type I

These fractures result from a force directed low on the maxillary rim in a downward direction. Fractures extend from
the nasal septum to lateral pyriform rims, and extend horizontally above the teeth, crossing below the zygomaxillary
junction, then traversing the pterygomaxillary junction interrupting the pterygoid plates.

Le Fort Type II

These fractures result from a force to the lower or mid maxilla. This fracture has a pyramidal shape and extends from
the nasal bridge at the nasofrontal suture through the maxilla. Inferolaterally, the fracture extends through the lacrimal
bone and inferior orbital floor near the inferior orbital foramen and inferiorly through the anterior wall of the
maxillary sinus. On the lateral aspect, it travels under the zygoma, across the pterygomaxillary fissure, and through
the pterygoid plate.

Le Fort Type III

These fractures result from an impact to the nasal bridge or upper maxilla. This results in complete craniofacial
dysjunction.

History and Physical

Presentation

Le Fort Type I

Le Fort type I presents as a swollen upper lip, anterior open bite malocclusion, ecchymosis of the maxillary buccal
vestibule and palate, and mobility of the maxilla.

Le Fo rt  Type II

With a Le Fort type II fracture, there is significant deformity and swelling, widening of the intercanthal space (nasal
septum fracture), mobility of the maxilla and nose as a combined segment, as well as bilateral periorbital edema and
ecchymosis (raccoon eyes), epistaxis, anterior open bite malocclusion, ecchymosis of the maxillary buccal vestibule
and palate, and possible CSF rhinorrhea. Since the fracture involves the inferior orbital rim and floor, there may be
sensory deficits in the infraorbital region extending inferiorly to the upper lip.

Le Fo rt  Type  III

The most significant clinical findings are demonstrated by bilateral periorbital edema and ecchymosis (raccoon eyes),
ecchymosis of the maxillary buccal vestibule and palate, lengthening of facial height- elongation and flattening of the
face (dish-face deformity), orbital hooding, enophthalmos, ecchymosis over the mastoid region (Battle’s sign), CSF
rhinorrhea, CSF otorrhea, and hemotympanum.

Evaluation
The initial evaluation of patients with maxillofacial trauma should follow advanced trauma life Support (ATLS)
protocols. The primary survey includes airway and cervical spine stabilization, breathing and ventilatory support,

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attention to circulation and hemorrhage control, disability and neurologic evaluation, and exposure and environment
control.

Airway obstruction associated with fractures of the midfacial skeleton can be life-threatening if not recognized
promptly and treated appropriately. Orotracheal intubation is required when intranasal damage is a possibility. Airway
obstruction in Le Fort injuries mainly occurs due to multiple sources bleeding into the upper airway, as well as
midface altered airway anatomy. Beware that the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage in Le Fort II and III injuries is
higher than that associated with other facial injuries.

Maxillofacial trauma is an obvious threat to the patient's airway; therefore, a rapid evaluation must be performed to
determine the need for a definitive airway. The concept of the definitive airway in cases of maxillofacial trauma is
probably much more critical as compared to trauma to other body parts; therefore, an emergency airway may be
required.

In a patient with complex maxillofacial trauma, cervical spine fracture should always be considered unless proven
otherwise. Therefore, the cervical spine must be protected while providing airway management.

During the secondary survey, the assessment of maxillofacial fractures is performed after initial stabilization and
resuscitation of the multisystem trauma patient. An ophthalmologic evaluation is required in Le Fort II and III
fractures with orbital involvement. This should be completed before surgery to ensure there is no globe injury.

The mobility of the face should be tested on both sides as well as in the midline. The type of Le Fort fracture is
determined by which regions are mobile.

Le Fort I: Mobility of the maxilla; maxilla is free from the rest of the facial bones (floating palate) 

Le Fort II: Mobility of the maxilla and nose as a combined segment 

Le Fort III: Mobilized segment to include the maxilla, nose, and zygomas

A CT scan of facial bones is required to fully and adequately assess the extent of bone and soft tissue involvement.
Plain radiographs are not sufficient for evaluation. Beware that penetrating trauma to the midface may involve injury
to the brain and major vascular structures. Therefore, a CT scan of the head and diagnostic angiography should also
be considered.

Treatment / Management
The initial evaluation and stabilization should be performed in conjunction with a trauma surgeon. Definitive surgery
should be performed after stabilization when life-threatening injuries are addressed. Le Fort fractures require fixation
of unstable fracture segments to stable structures. [10][11][12]The goals of fracture management are to:

Restore the facial projection and the involved sinus cavities

Reestablish proper occlusion of teeth; note that proper repair cannot be performed without good occlusion

Restore the integrity of the nose and orbit

Le Fort fractures may be associated with other injuries such as dental or alveolar ridge fractures (alveolar and palatal
fractures are commonly associated with all types of Le Fort fractures and make the repair more difficult and
complex), cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and severe epistaxis.

In type III, significant facial swelling, deformity, and orbital ecchymosis are almost always present.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with CSF leak remains controversial and should be considered at the discretion of
the treating neurosurgeon.
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Differential Diagnosis

Acute subdermal hematoma

Child abuse

Domestic violence

Elder abuse

Frontal fracture

Globe rupture

Mandible dislocation

Mandible fracture

Neck trauma

Retinal detachment

Prognosis
The outcome is dependent on the mechanism of injury, location, and severity of injury, and presence of associated
injuries. The mortality rate for Le Fort fracture is higher than simple midface fracture.

Complications

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (primarily type II and type III fractures)

Epistaxis is commonly associated with Le Fort type II and III fractures

Consultations
Early consultation with a facial surgeon when evaluating a patient with severe facial trauma is essential.

In the presence of a CSF leak, neurosurgical consultation should be obtained early.

In the presence of orbital involvement, an ophthalmologic evaluation should be obtained.

Pearls and Other Issues

Le Fort fractures rarely occur in isolation; always evaluate for other injuries. Le Fort-type fractures should be
suspected if a pterygoid fracture is noted on a facial CT scan. These 3 fracture types may occur in combination either
on the ipsilateral or contralateral side. The management goals are the restoration of form and function.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

LeFort fractures are not uncommon and often present to the emergency department. Because these fractures are also
associated with other facial, skull and ocular injuries, an interprofessional team must be involved. The trauma surgeon
should call the appropriate specialist after workup. The decision to operate on these patients depends on the stability
of the fracture, compromise of neural and ocular elements, and bleeding. Even after treatment the recovery is often
prolonged and most patients do have some residual neurological or visual deficit. The role of the primary care

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provider and nurse practitioner is to educate patients on safety in sports, wearing seatbelts while driving and wearing
helmets when riding motorbikes.[13]

Review Questions

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Comment on this article.

References
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Figures

Le fort 2 fracture. Image courtesy S Bhimji MD

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