title: The anatomical basis for mandibulotomy: midline versus paramidline.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an anatomical basis for mandibulotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  The angles between the long axis of the two mandibular central incisors and between the lateral incisor and canine and the corresponding root length were measured in panoramic films of 50 Taiwanese patients who had oral or oropharyngeal carcinomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The angle and horizontal distance between the mandibular lateral incisor and canine were significantly wider than between the two central incisors. The root length of the canine measured 16 mm on average.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paramidline mandibulotomy, which cuts through a wider space between the lateral incisor and canine, preserves dentition and the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles. It appears to be a more preferable approach than midline mandibulotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Whei-Lin
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Sheng-Po
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Yaoh-Shiang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kai-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jen-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies