title: Biomechanical comparison of two ostectomy configurations for partial mandibulectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the stiffness and load to failure of two different ostectomy configurations using canine mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric biomechanical assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired mandibles (n = 30).
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized partial ostectomies were created on the alveolar surface of 30 mandibles. Samples were randomly assigned to right-angled (n = 15) or crescentic ostectomy (n = 15). Excision spanned the mesial aspect of the fourth premolar tooth to the distal aspect of first molar tooth. Mandibles were loaded to failure in three-point bending. The stiffness, displacement at maximum load, and load to failure were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in stiffness (p = 0.59), displacement at maximum load (p = 0.16) and load to failure (p = 0.76) between right-angled or crescentic ostectomy. Right-angled and crescentic ostectomy failed mostly by fracture through an empty alveolus (11/15 and 13/15, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant differences in load to failure or stiffness between ostectomy techniques were observed. Crescentic ostectomy did not improve the acute load to failure for partial mandibulectomy. The empty alveolus served as a focal stress concentration point eliminating the potential mechanical advantage of a crescentic ostectomy.
authors.affiliation: Daniel Linden, DVM, Wilford and Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital, 1220 Wire Road, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5540, United States, E-mail: dzl0033@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.forename: Brad M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Matz
authors.forename: Ramsis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.forename: Harry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Boothe
authors.forename: D Michael
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tillson
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Oral surgery; canine; dog; oral tumour; rim mandibulectomy