title: 3D analysis of condylar position after sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible in mono- and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery - a methodology study in 18 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzes the condylar position with intercondylar distance and angle after sagittal split osteotomy in mono- and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery applying cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 18 patients, ten males (mean age 28 years) and eight females (mean age 26 years) undergoing the described surgery between 2008 and 2009 were analyzed. CBCT scans were performed with the KaVo 3DeXam (KaVo, Biberach/ Riß, Germany) (identical with the iCAT scan device) before and after surgery. The exported DICOM data were analyzed with ImageJ morphometry software. Patients were also asked about TMJ problems. The two-tailed t test was used and significance was set at a p value less than p = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the pre- and postoperative distances between condylar centers (mean difference: 1 mm) (p = 0.69) and intercondylar angle (mean difference: 6.6°) (p = 0.27).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT is a novel imaging technique appropriate for detailed and three-dimensional analysis of the condylar position in orthognathic surgery. Available freeware analysis software can be applied for metrical measurements. Our cases showed no significant changes of condylar position immediately after surgery without intraoperative condylar fixation.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. draenert@draenert.net
authors.forename: Florian Guy
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Draenert
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erbe
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zenglein
authors.forename: Peer W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kämmerer
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wriedt
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Al Nawas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult