title: Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy in cadaveric pig mandibles: evaluation of the lingual fracture line based on the use of splitters and separators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the splitting pathways of the (lingual) fracture lines during a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) in cadaveric pig mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A BSSO was performed using splitters and separators. Special attention was paid to end the horizontal medial cut at the deepest point of the entrance of the mandibular foramen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all lingual fractures, 95% ended in the mandibular foramen. Forty percent of these fractures extended through the mandibular canal and 40% extended inferiorly along the mandibular canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost all lingual fracture lines ended in the mandibular foramen, most likely due to the placement of the medial cut in the concavity of the mandibular foramen. The mandibular foramen and canal could function as the path of least resistance in which the splitting pattern is seen. We conclude that a consistent splitting pattern was achieved without increasing the incidence of possible sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands. GMensink1@amphia.nl
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mensink
authors.forename: P J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gooris
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bergsma
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wes
authors.forename: J P R
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: van Merkesteyn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000601:surgery; D013552:Swine; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control