Postoperative stability after sagittal split ramus osteotomy with condylar-positioning appliance and screw fixation

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative stability in prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry who were treated with sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible. Study design. Ten asymmetric (group I) and 11 symmetric (group II) patients were examined. An appliance for repositioning the proximal segment was applied, and the bony segments were fixed with titanium screws. Cephalograms were obtained preoperatively, 2 to 3 days postoperatively, and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Changes in the positions of the standard points were examined on lateral cephalograms, and changes in the widths of the gonion points were examined on posteroanterior cephalograms. Results. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between the postoperative changes in the widths of the gonion points on the deviated and nondeviated sides in group I. Conclusions. This study suggests that application of an appliance for repositioning the proximal segment can minimize postoperative skeletal changes in patients with asymmetry.