Pterygomaxillary osteotomy is a type of osteotomy (surgical procedure) of the upper jaw, according to Le Fort I, which involves the median palatine suture (a structure in the roof of the mouth). Meta-analysis

Transversal maxillary anomalies affect a significant number of patients, accounting for 23.3% of those seeking orthodontic treatment. The narrowing of the upper jaw occurs during the growth and development of the facial skeleton, and one of the most common causes is myofunctional disorders, such as bad habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and incorrect tongue position. Osteotomy in the area of the pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone and its impact on the outcome of treatment has not been fully studied and discussed. Given the increased risk of complications associated with osteotomy in this area, such as damage to the pterygoid venous plexus, prolonged surgery time, and additional incisions, this procedure should only be performed when indicated and according to a standardized methodology.

Material and methods. In this study, we conducted a literature review of scientific publications on this topic using the Scopus bibliographic and abstract database from 2010 to 2024. We used the search terms SARME, SARPE, RME, and Surgically assisted maxillary expansion to search for relevant articles in the Title – Abstract – Keywords mode. A total of 2,155 articles were identified in the Scopus database as of 2024. After reviewing the headings, annotations, and removing duplicates, the full texts of 25 articles were read. These articles were analyzed based on the criteria for inclusion, non-inclusion, and exclusion, and seven studies were included in this systematic review. A total of 291 participants were included in the study, and the sample mainly consisted of young female patients.

Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, there were no significant differences in upper jaw expansion between the patient groups. In the conclusion, the authors of the scientific papers noted that surgical upper jaw expansion is an effective treatment for patients with transverse jaw anomalies. The result of the assessment in all studies was a difference in the size of the upper jaw, as measured by plaster models of the dentition. However, this method of assessment raises doubts about the statistical reliability of the study. Therefore, it is recommended that a scientific paper be written evaluating the quality of surgical maxillary expansion in two groups of patients in the future

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