Stability of fixation methods in large mandibular advancements after sagittal split ramus osteotomy: an in vitro biomechanical study

Sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with large mandibular advancements is a common surgical procedure and could be indicated for patients with sleep apnoea. As a large variety of fixation methods is used for the stabilisation of SSRO, a biomechanical test model was used to analyse which fixation technique was most stable. For this in vitro study, 80 polyurethane hemimandibles with a prefabricated SSRO were used as substrates. Loads in Newtons were recorded at displacements of the mandibular incisive edge at 1 mm, 3 mm and 5 mm. The samples were divided into two groups: mandibular advancements of 10 mm and 15 mm. In both groups, four fixation techniques were used: (A) one four-hole miniplate; (B) two four-hole miniplates; (C) one four-hole miniplate plus one bicortical screw; and (D) three bicortical screws in an inverted-L arrangement. In group 1, three bicortical screws resulted in the best stability, and in group 2, two miniplates resulted in the best stability. The use of two miniplates did not show significant differences between both groups. Other fixation methods showed more stability with 10 mm advancements. This study therefore suggests that in SSRO with advancements exceeding 10 mm, the use of two miniplates is the optimal means of providing rigid fixation.