title: The role of a posteriorly inclined condylar neck in condylar resorption after orthognathic surgery.
abstract: Recently, it has been reported that a posteriorly inclined condylar neck is associated with condylar resorption following orthognathic surgery, although its role in resorption remains unknown. By cephalometric screening of 240 patients with Angle Class II occlusion 2 years after orthognathic surgery, 11 patients with postoperative condylar resorption were identified. The preoperative posterior inclination of the condylar neck and the surgical risk factors mentioned in the literature, particularly surgically induced counterclockwise rotation of the mandibular proximal segment were evaluated. In all 11 cases, the condylar neck was clearly inclined posteriorly. Counterclockwise rotation of the proximal segment was also observed in all cases, and it amounted to 6.7 degrees (2.5-12 degrees) on average. The contributing role of a posteriorly inclined condylar neck in connection with surgical mandibular movement in postoperative condylar resorption is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. sjhwang@medmail.com
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Haers
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sailer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000209:etiology*; D002508:Cephalometry; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000601:surgery; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012399:Rotation; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*