Postoperative stability after sagittal split ramus osteotomy with condylar-positioning appliance and screw fixation: asymmetric versus symmetric cases.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative stability in prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry who were treated with sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible.


METHODS
Ten asymmetric (group I) and 11 symmetric (group II) patients were examined. An appliance for repositioning the proximal segment was applied, and the bony segments were fixed with titanium screws. Cephalograms were obtained preoperatively, 2 to 3 days postoperatively, and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Changes in the positions of the standard points were examined on lateral cephalograms, and changes in the widths of the gonion points were examined on posteroanterior cephalograms.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between the postoperative changes in the widths of the gonion points on the deviated and nondeviated sides in group I.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that application of an appliance for repositioning the proximal segment can minimize postoperative skeletal changes in patients with asymmetry.
Harada
K
K
Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical, and Dental University.
Ono
J
J
Okada
Y
Y
Nagura
H
H
Enomoto
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D002508:Cephalometry; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle; D011378:Prognathism / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome