Comparative study of stability and relapse according to fixation method after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomies in mandibular prognathic patients

Choi, Hee Won; Kim, Kyoung Won; Lee, Eun Young

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative stability and relapse according to 2 different fixation methods after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomies in mandibular prognathic patients. Tweenty one patients with Class III dental and skeletal malocclusion who were treated with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy were selected for this retrospective study. We classfied the patients into two groups according to the fixation methods of bony segments after osteotomies. Group W (n = 10) had the bone segments fixed with nonrigid wire and Group S (n = 11) had bicortical screws inserted in the gonial area through a transcutaneous approach. Cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and more than six months postoperatively in each patient. After tracing the cephalometric radiographs, various parameters were measured. Before surgery, both groups were balanced with respect to linear and angular measurements of craniofacial morphology. Mean posterior sagittal setback amounts of the mandibular symphysis was 8.6 mm in the wire group and 6.79 mm in the rigid group, Six months postoperatively, the wire group had 33.1% relapse of the mandibular symphysis and 22.8% in the rigid group relapse. Both groups experienced changes in the orientation and configuration of the mandible. It is thought that Rigid screw fixation is a more stable method than nonrigid wire fixation for maintaining mandibular setback after sagittal split ramus osteotomy.