title: Pilot study of modification of the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) in pig mandibles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated a new technique for the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) by adding a new osteotomy line at the inferior border of the mandible in the Obwegeser-Dal Pont operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this purpose a test system was designed and 100 pig mandibles were split to assess the test's reliability, to compare the torque necessary to split the mandible in both techniques and to record the fracture lines. The splitting technique was standardized, avoiding any contact with the inferior alveolar nerve. All outcomes were statistically examined by paired t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By using the new technique, we demonstrated a decrease in the torque force required to split the mandible of 29.7% (t(69)=-12.68; p<0.05, paired t-test) compared to the Obwegeser-Dal Pont technique. The fracture lines were close to ideal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The additional osteotomy facilitates the BSSO technique and it reduces the likelihood of bad splits and damage to the inferior alveolar nerve in pig mandibles.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. roland.bockmann@mumc.nl
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Böckmann
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Schön
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Frotscher
authors: Gunther
authors: G
authors: Eggeler
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Lethaus
authors: Klaus-Dietrich
authors: KD
authors: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013552:Swine; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries