Unilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy: an alternative for some cases of asymmetric mandibular prognathism

The objective of this study was to propose a treatment protocol for patients with lateral prognathism based on the unilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (USSRO). This was a prospective study involving 31 patients with lateral prognathism, who required a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO). Two groups were formed using the proposed protocol, with specific inclusion criteria for each group: BSSRO (n = 17) and USSRO (n = 14). Occlusal parameters (dental midline deviation, overbite, and overjet) were measured preoperatively (T0), at model surgery (T1), 1 month postoperative (T2), and 1 year after surgery (T3) and compared. P-values of <0.05 were considered significant. No significant difference was found between the USSRO and BSSRO groups for all occlusal parameters (T0, T1, T2, and T3). In both groups, there was a significant difference between T0 and T1 and no significant difference between T1 and T2 or T1 and T3 in all of the occlusal parameters; the exception was overbite between T1 and T2 in the BSSRO group, which showed a significant difference. No patient in either group showed signs or symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction at T0 or T3. USSRO was found to be a stable alternative in patients with asymmetric mandibular prognathism. At the same time, it reduced the operating time and morbidity when compared to BSSRO.     

Surgical morbidities of sagittal split ramus osteotomy versus intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy for the correction of mandibular prognathism: a randomized clinical trial

The sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) are two common orthognathic procedures for the treatment of mandibular prognathism. This randomized clinical trial compared the surgical morbidities between SSRO and IVRO for patients with mandibular prognathism over the first 2 years postoperative. Ninety-eight patients (40 male, 58 female) with a mean age of 24.4 ± 3.5 years underwent bilateral SSRO (98 sides) or IVRO (98 sides) as part or all of their orthognathic surgery. IVRO presented less short-term and long-term surgical morbidity in general. The SSRO group had a greater incidence of inferior alveolar nerve deficit at all follow-up time points (P <  0.01). There was more TMJ pain at 6 weeks (P =  0.047) and 3 months (P =  0.001) postoperative in the SSRO group. The SSRO group also presented more minor complications, which were related to titanium plate exposure and infection. There were no major complications for either technique in this study. Despite the need for intermaxillary fixation, IVRO appears to be associated with less surgical morbidity than SSRO when performed as a mandibular setback procedure to treat mandibular prognathism.     

Changes in border movement of the mandible in skeletal Class III before and after orthognathic surgery

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in border movement of the mandible before and after mandibular ramus osteotomy in patients with prognathism. The subjects were 73 patients with mandibular prognathism who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with and without Le Fort I osteotomy. Border movement of the mandible was recorded with a mandibular movement measure system (K7) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Of the 73 patients, 21 had measurements taken at 1.5 years postoperative. Data were compared between the pre- and postoperative states, and the differences analyzed statistically. There was no significant difference between SSRO alone and SSRO with Le Fort I osteotomy in the time-course change. The values at 6 months postoperative were significantly lower than the preoperative values for maximum vertical opening (P = 0.0066), maximum antero-posterior movement from the centric occlusion (P = 0.0425), and centric occlusion to maximum opening (P = 0.0300). However, there were no significant differences between the preoperative and 1.5 years postoperative measurements. This study suggests that a postoperative temporary reduction in the border movement of the mandible could recover by 1.5 years postoperative, and the additional procedure of a Le Fort I osteotomy does not affect the recovery of mandibular motion after SSRO.     

Comparison of osseous healing after sagittal split ramus osteotomy and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy

The sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) is generally associated with greater postoperative stability than the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO); however, it entails a risk of inferior alveolar nerve damage. In contrast, IVRO has the disadvantages of slow postoperative osseous healing and projection of the antegonial notch, but inferior alveolar nerve damage is believed to be less likely. The purposes of this study were to compare the osseous healing processes associated with SSRO and IVRO and to investigate changes in mandibular width after IVRO in 29 patients undergoing mandibular setback. On computed tomography images, osseous healing was similar in patients undergoing SSRO and IVRO at 1 year after surgery. Projection of the antegonial notch occurred after IVRO, but returned to the preoperative state within 1 year. The results of the study indicate that IVRO is equivalent to SSRO with regard to both bone healing and morphological recovery of the mandible.     

The influence of the closing and opening muscle groups of jaw condyle biomechanics after mandible bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of the closing and opening muscle groups of the jaw on mandibular stability after mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO).Materials and methodsTo establish finite element models of four conditions (the normal mandible, preoperative mandibular prognathism, postoperative (BSSRO) mandibular prognathism, and mandibular prognathism following virtual BSSRO), we imported Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data into three-dimensional reconstruction software. Finite element analysis software and statistical software were used for analysis of the condylar stress distribution as a function of condylar position during the actions of jaw closing and jaw opening muscle groups.ResultsThe stress distribution of the normal mandibular bilateral condyle was statistically different from the normal mandibular condyle, indicating that bilateral structures are asymmetrical. There was a significant difference in stress distributions with condyle position between healthy control patients and patients prior to mandibular prognathism surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in stress distributions between the normal mandible and the mandible following virtual surgery or real mandibular prognathism surgery. Additionally, there was no significant difference at 6 months after mandibular prognathism surgery (P > 0.05).ConclusionsBilateral structures of the normal mandible were asymmetrical. After mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, variation of the force arms of closing and opening muscle groups of the jaw was one of the major factors influencing mandibular stability. Virtual surgery is a promising strategy for preoperative planning to improve surgical success and reduce complications.     

Is there a difference between the thicknesses of the rami in mandibular asymmetry?

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate whether the thicknesses of the two rami differ in patients with mandibular asymmetry. Preoperative cone beam computed tomography scans of 78 patients with mandibular asymmetry were assessed for ramus thickness, mandibular length, and mandibular shift. The results showed that the ramus was thinner on the longer side than on the shorter side in 85.9% of the patients. On average, the longer side of the mandible was 2.74 mm longer (range 0.07–9.90 mm, standard deviation 1.92 mm) and 0.55 mm thinner (range ?0.61 to 2.02 mm, standard deviation 0.59 mm) than the shorter side (both P < 0.001). This study indicates a trend in the discrepancy in ramus thickness between the longer and shorter side of about 8% of the mean thickness of the ramus. Regression analysis showed that for every 1-mm increase in the length of the mandible, the thickness of the superior aspect of the ramus was reduced by 0.041 mm (P = 0.009) and the anterior aspect by 0.125 mm (P = 0.001). Age and sex did not have a significant influence on the thickness of the mandible. It is concluded that the longer side of the mandible tends to be thinner at the ramus than the shorter side in patients with mandibular asymmetry. The implication of this finding could be important in relation to the sagittal split ramus osteotomy.     

Postoperative mandibular stability after orthognathic surgery in patients with mandibular protrusion and mandibular deviation

Skeletal stability and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) signs and symptoms were analyzed in 23 patients in whom mandibular protrusion and mandibular deviation had been corrected using bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO group, n = 10) and unilateral SSRO and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (USSRO+IVRO group, n = 13). Miniplate fixation was used in SSRO but no fixation was used in IVRO. The ratio of condylar bony change was 30.4% (7/23) and all condylar bony changes were seen on the deviated side. All preoperative signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders (4/13 patients in the USSRO+IVRO group and 2/10 patients in the BSSRO group) disappeared after surgery. Comparing the USSRO+IVRO group and the BSSRO group, in patients without condylar bony change, the mandible in both groups was stable anteriorly and horizontally after surgery, even though there was a larger horizontal mandibular movement in the USSRO+IVRO group during surgery. Comparing patients with condylar bony change versus no condylar bony change in the USSRO+IVRO group, postoperative horizontal mandibular displacement was significantly larger in the condylar bony change group than in the no condylar bony change group. These results support the idea that USSRO+IVRO can be useful in correcting mandibular deviation as well as improving signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders. However, it also seems important to be aware of the possibility of horizontal mandibular relapse in patients with condylar bony change.     

Morphological study of the changes after sagittal split ramus osteotomy in patients with facial asymmetry: measurements of 3-dimensional modelling

The effects of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological differences among unaffected subjects on the one hand, and patients with facial asymmetry before and after BSSRO on the other. Ten Chinese patients (preoperative and postoperative groups, mean (SD) age 25 (5) years) diagnosed with facial asymmetry and 10 unaffected subjects (control group, mean (SD) age 27 (5) years) were recruited prospectively. The 3-dimensional morphological measurements made on 3-dimensional models in each group were assessed by analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and Student’s t test, and probabilities of <0.05 were accepted as significant. The horizontal condylar angle (HCA), coronal condylar angle (CCA), sagittal ramus angle (SRA), medial joint space (MJS), lateral joint space (LJS), and superior joint space (SJS) differed significantly between the preoperative and control groups (HCA: p = 0.000, CCA: p = 0.000, SRA(left/undeviated side): p = 0.002, MJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, MJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.007, LJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.000). The SRA, MJS, LJS, and SJS differed significantly between the preoperative and postoperative groups (SRA(left/undeviated side): p = 0.012, MJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.002, LJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.021, SJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.001), And the SRA, MJS, and LJS in the preoperative group differed significantly between the deviated and undeviated side (SRA: p = 0.006; MJS: p = 0.003; LJS: p = 0.011). However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative and control groups between the deviated and undeviated sides. BSSRO improved the asymmetrical morphology of the TMJ and alleviated the symptoms.     

Biomechanical analysis in mandibular advancement and occlusal plane rotation with finite element analysis

We used finite element analysis to assess stress on the cortical bone and plate fixation system, as well as mandibular resistance after sagittal split ramus osteotomy with different mandibular advancements and rotations of the occlusal plane. Three-dimensional mandibular models were obtained, and 6 mm and 12 mm advancements were planned associated with linear, clockwise, and counter-clockwise rotation of the angle of the occlusal plane. Each model was then fixed with one or two 2.0 mm system plates and secured with four monocortical screws. A total of 12 models were built and subjected to a vertical load in the lower central incisor ranging from 50N to 500N in 50N increments. Results showed that the 12 mm advancement was associated with higher stress on the bone and plate surface. Additionally, the models fixed with two plates exhibited lower plate stress than those fixed with a single plate. Counter-clockwise rotation of the angle of the mandibular plane in the 6 mm advancement caused more plate stress, which did not occur in the 12 mm advancement. This analysis has shown that change in the occlusal plane in large mandibular advancements does not act as an additional stress factor. These findings can help to better understand the tensions on bone and plate surfaces in patients who need large mandibular advancements that are associated with a change in the occlusal plane, and will aid better surgical planning.     

双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨术治疗下颌前突畸形

目的探讨口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨后退小钛板内固定治疗重度下颌前突畸形的临床疗效。方法9例上颌骨发育正常、下颌骨真性前突、严重反He关系的患者，行术前牙齿正畸治疗后，采用口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨后退小钛板内固定，术后正畸治疗，恢复尖窝咬He关系。结果所有病例均取得满意的疗效，获得协调的上下颌骨关系，术后随访1年，未见下颌前突复发。结论重度下颌前突畸形采用口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨术及正畸治疗是有效的，值得临床推广应用。     

双颌手术升支截骨后退术后下颌稳定性及与关节关系的研究

目的　探讨升支矢状劈开截骨术(BSSRO)小钛板坚固内固定与口内入路升支垂直截骨术(BIVRO)下颌后退术后颌稳定性的不同规律,了解导致复发的有关因素特别是髁状突移位在不同手术后复发过程中的意义。方法　升支截骨手术后退下颌的患者共38例,皆为双颌手术,其中下颌BSSRO19例,BIVRO后退术19例。于手术前1周(T1),手术后1周(T2),3个月(T3)及1年(T4)分别拍摄定位头颅侧位片及定位颞下颌关节薛氏位片用于测量下颌移动幅度及关节髁状突的手术后移位。结果　双颌手术下颌升支截骨后退术后,BSSRO坚固内固定组1年时的复发率为25%,而BIVRO组大部分患者1年时下颌发生了与手术目的相同的移动,两组的不稳定主要发生在术后3个月内。结论　手术使髁状突移位术后位置的调整可导致BIVRO术后的下颌继续后移而不稳定,而髁状突近心骨段术中向后旋转术后位置的调整可导致BSSRO术后的下颌骨继续向前而不稳定     

Endoscopic vertical ramus osteotomy: a long-term prospective study

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic vertical ramus osteotomy (EVRO) with rigid fixation for the treatment of mandibular prognathism or asymmetry. Inclusion criteria were age >15 years, adequate clinical and radiographic documentation, and minimum postoperative follow-up of 3 years. Exclusion criteria were refusal to consent, rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use, and smoking. Demographic data, pre-operative (T0), immediate postoperative (T1), and latest follow-up (T2) clinical examinations and cephalometric analysis, procedure data, complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were documented. Ten fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Diagnoses included mandibular hyperplasia (n = 5), stable condylar hyperplasia (n = 4), and mandibular asymmetry secondary to condylar resorption (n = 1). In total, 17 EVROs were performed. The mean operative time was 33 min per side. Mean mandibular setback was 4.7 mm. Mean LOS was 1.9 days. Latest follow-up ranged from 3 to 5 years. Skeletal stability was confirmed in nine patients. One patient exhibited recurrence of mandibular prognathism at 5 years due to late growth. No VII nerve deficits were encountered. Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) paresthesia was noted in four patients, which resolved postoperatively. EVRO was fast and resulted in minimal blood loss, quick recovery, and skeletal stability.     

How does bone thickness affect the split pattern of sagittal ramus osteotomy?

This study examined the influence of bone thickness on the split pattern of sagittal ramus osteotomy at 62 sites using Dolphin 3D software. Four measurements of thickness were obtained from the preoperative computed tomography scans: measurement A was made 1.5 mm above the lingula, using the coronal and sagittal planes; measurement B was made at the same height as measurement A and 1 mm from the anterior border of the ramus; measurement C was obtained 5 mm distal to the last molar and 5 mm below the upper border of the mandible; measurement D was made in the area between the first and second molars, 6 mm above the mandibular border. Three-dimensional postoperative images were used to classify the split pattern into types, based on the classification of Plooij et al. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn post-hoc test. Thirty-five sagittal splits were type I, one was type II, 19 were type III, and seven were type IV. Type I presented the greatest thickness, whereas type IV presented the lowest. There was a statistically significant difference in thickness only for measurement A, when types I and IV were compared. The results indicate that thinner mandibular rami are more prone to bad splits.     

Three-dimensional changes of proximal segments in facial asymmetry patients after bilateral vertical ramus osteotomy

The intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is a useful technique for mandibular setback surgery. However, there is a tendency for lateral flaring of the proximal segments on the non-deviation side after the correction of mandibular asymmetry with this technique. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the positional changes of the proximal segments after IVRO setback in skeletal class III patients with asymmetry, using preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scan data, and to apply the results in clinical practice. A total of 28 skeletal class III patients with asymmetry who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were included. A three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography scan was obtained preoperative, at 1 month postoperative, and at 1 year postoperative. At 1 month after the surgery, the proximal segments showed an outward rotation, lateral flaring, and anterior rotation of the condylar head. All postsurgical directional changes had returned to the preoperative state at 1 year postoperative, and there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative angulation changes between the two sides. The results showed no statistical differences in the positional changes of the proximal segments between the deviation and non-deviation sides. This study reaffirms the benefits of the IVRO for a minimal bony interference between the proximal and distal segments in three dimensions, including mandibular asymmetry cases.     

Improvement in quality of life after skeletal advancement surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea: a longitudinal study

Skeletal advancement surgery with sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) or mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is effective in treating patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and may improve their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal QoL changes in moderate-to-severe OSA patients after skeletal advancement surgery. Eighteen patients were randomized to receive SSRO (n = 9) or MDO (n = 9) alone or as part of the skeletal advancement surgery. Baseline QoL was compared with that of a control group (n = 36). QoL was compared between the SSRO group and MDO group over a period of 2 years postoperative. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used as instruments. The OSA group had worse ESS, SF-36, FOSQ, and SAQLI preoperatively than the control group. The MDO and SSRO groups showed significant improvements in ESS at all postoperative time points (P ≤ 0.021). The FOSQ, SAQLI, and SF-36 of both groups at 2 years postoperative were similar to those of the control group. No differences in QoL were found between the SSRO and MDO groups. This study showed QoL was improved in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA after skeletal advancement surgery by SSRO or MDO.     

双侧下颌升支矢状劈开截骨术对男性下颌前突患者舌骨位置及咽气道间隙影响研究

 目的　研究双侧下颌升支矢状劈开截骨术（BSSRO）对男性下颌前突患者舌骨位置和咽气道间隙的影响，探讨BSSRO与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）的关系。方法　选择2012—2017年于中国医科大学附属口腔医院行BSSRO的男性下颌前突畸形患者30例作为病例组，分别于术前、术后1 ~ 2周及术后6 ~ 12个月拍摄头颅侧位片；选择同期具有正常矢状骨面型的30例男性成年正畸治疗患者作为对照组，正畸治疗前拍摄头颅侧位片。AutoCAD软件测量上下颌骨位置、舌骨位置及咽气道间隙相关测量项目，比较分析病例组术前、术后的上下颌骨位置、舌骨位置和咽气道间隙的变化以及病例组与对照组之间的差异。结果　病例组术后下颌骨后移。病例组术前与对照组相比，舌骨测量值中舌骨体最前上点（H 点）到X 轴的垂直距离（H-X）、H 点到下颌平面的垂直距离（H-MP）显著减小（P < 0.05），H 点到第三颈椎最前下点（C3点）的距离（H-C3）显著增加（P < 0.05）；咽气道测量值中腭垂尖至中咽壁点距离（U-MPW）、下颌骨后下缘与舌背交点到咽后壁距离（MT-MTP）、过会厌最上点（E点）咽腔间隙距离（EPA-EPP）显著增加（P < 0.05）。病例组术后1 ~ 2周及术后6 ~ 12个月与术前相比，H-X、H-MP显著增加，H-C3显著减小，U-MPW、MT-MTP、EPA-EPP显著减小（P < 0.05）；术后6 ~ 12个月与术后1 ~ 2周相比，H-X显著减小，H-C3显著增加，U-MPW、MT-MTP显著增加（P < 0.05）。病例组术后6 ~ 12个月与对照组相比，反映舌骨位置和咽气道间隙的各项指标差异均无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。结论　男性下颌前突患者行BSSRO术后短期内舌骨位置向后下移位，咽气道间隙减小，随时间推移，逐渐回复到正常范围，提示男性下颌前突患者行BSSRO术后发生OSAHS的风险不大。     

下颌升支矢状劈开术后正畸快速建立咬合关系的研究

目的:探讨快速建立下颌升支矢状劈开术后患者咬合关系的方法。方法:37例术前未做正畸治疗的下颌前突患者,下颌升支矢状劈开术后第2日即开始用固定矫治器快速正畸,利用带钩方丝托槽行颌间牵引建立咬合。结果:3～7个月内患者基本上建立正常的咬合关系,恢复咬合功能。结论:!下颌前突患者行下颌升支矢状劈开术后立即开始正畸治疗可以快速建立咬合关系。     

Effect of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy on temporomandibular joint symptom and condylar position in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion by cone beam computed tomography

目的 探讨双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨后退术（BSSRO）对行正畸—正颌联合治疗的骨性Ⅲ类错牙合患者颞下颌关节（TMJ）症状及髁突位置的影响。方法 选取24例行正畸-正颌联合治疗的骨性Ⅲ类错牙合患者,分别在BSSRO术前、术后1个月、术后12个月按Helkimo指数整理记录关节症状,并行锥形束CT（CBCT）扫描,在三维方向上测量髁突水平位及冠状截面最大径、髁突短轴径、髁突颈部宽度、髁突高度、不同角度（45°、90°、135°）下关节间隙宽度、双侧髁突间距及髁突角度（水平角、垂直角、受力角）,分析不同时期TMJ症状及骨性结构的变化情况。结果 BSSRO术前与术后的Helkimo指数均为Ai、Di 0级或1级,二者之间无差异。与术前相比,术后1个月时髁突水平角、45°及90°下关节间隙宽度增大,135°下关节间隙宽度减小（P<0.05）;术后12个月时,除髁突水平角增大（P<0.05）外,其余测量项目间差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 在正畸—正颌联合治疗中,BSSRO不会对Helkimo指数为Ai、Di 0级或1级的骨性Ⅲ类错牙合患者的TMJ症状及髁突位置产生明显的影响。     

下颌前突患者下颌支矢状劈开截骨术后髁突运动轨迹的改变

目的:研究双侧下颌支矢状劈开截骨术对下颌前突患者髁突运动轨迹的影响。方法:采用ARCUSdigma下颌三维运动轨迹描记仪,以髁突运动中心为参考点,研究30例正常受试者、14例下颌前突患者手术前后开口、前伸和左右侧向髁突运动的轨迹。用SPSSV11.0统计软件包进行配对t检验和成组t检验。结果:下颌前突患者术前、术后、正常组左侧髁突的运动轨迹与右侧基本相同,左侧髁突与右侧的开口、前伸和侧方运动范围无显著性差异(P>0.05)。术前组与正常组髁突运动轨迹差别较大,术前开口、前伸和侧方运动范围均小于正常组(P<0.05);术后与正常组髁突运动轨迹接近,术后开口、前伸和侧方运动范围与正常组无统计学差异;术前与术后组髁突运动轨迹差别较大,术前开口、前伸和侧方运动范围均显著小于术后组(P<0.05)。结论:下颌前突患者手术后,随着术后正畸治疗及咬合自我调整,建立了正常的咬合引导关系,使下颌功能运动趋向正常。     

下颌发育过度外科矫治术式的选择

下颌发育过度是临床常见的一种牙颌面畸形,下颌支垂直骨切开术和下颌支矢状骨劈开术是用来矫治这种骨性Ⅲ类错(牙合)的常用术式。本文对这两种手术方法的优缺点进行比较与讨论,从而为下颌前突外科矫正术式的合理选择提供参考。