Delayed Hemorrhage From a Pseudoaneurysm of the Inferior Alveolar Artery following Maxillomandibular Advancement: A Case Report

Abstract

Maxillomandibular advancement is a common orthognathic surgical procedure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Although rare, pseudoaneurysms may form following orthognathic surgery, which includes maxillomandibular advancement. Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms from orthognathic surgery typically occur in the branches of the maxillary artery (sphenopalatine and descending palatine branches) or the facial artery, but uncommonly affect the inferior alveolar artery. We present a unique case of a pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage of the inferior alveolar artery on postoperative day 10 following maxillomandibular advancement diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography and successfully treated with fluoroscopy-guided endovascular embolization. Pseudoaneurysm hemorrhages of the inferior alveolar artery following orthognathic surgery are rare, with only 1 known published case report which occurred with significant intraoperative pulsatile bleeding. This is the only known case of a delayed inferior alveolar artery pseudoaneurysm bleed in the absence of significant intraoperative hemorrhage.