title: Postoperative course after SSRO in mandibular asymmetries with or without MMF.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the necessity of maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF) from a viewpoint of postoperative stability to treat mandibular asymmetries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients who underwent surgical correction of mandibular asymmetry were analyzed. The surgical procedure in all patients consisted of bilateral sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy (SSRO). The segments were then fixed rigidly with titanium screws. A postoperative MMF was performed in 12 patients within 1 day of the SSRO. The MMF lasted for 1 week. The other 12 patients were free to move their jaw on the day of the surgery and received occlusal guidance with elastics starting from the third postoperative day. Posterior-anterior cephalograms were taken preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Skeletal and occlusal stabilities along with postoperative complications were then assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nausea and pharyngeal discomforts were observed very often in both groups. Even without MMF, occlusions were guided to the objective positions by an average of 3.5 days after surgery. Occlusal and skeletal stability was satisfactory in both groups, and there was no correlation between the surgical results and the use of postoperative MMF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMF is not necessary after rigid fixation SSRO for mandibular asymmetry, considering the risks of airway distress.
authors.affiliation: Okayama University, Okayama, Japan. yamada@md.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Katsuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mishima
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moritani
authors.forename: Tatsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Janune
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugahara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001863:Bone Screws; D002508:Cephalometry; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium