Change in mandibular body height at the site of a fixation plate in the advance (lengthening) and setback (shortening) sides after sagittal split ramus osteotomy

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in mandibular body height at the site of a fixation plate in the advance (lengthening) and setback (shortening) sides after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO).Subjects and methodsThe subjects were 49 patients (98 sides) who underwent bilateral SSRO surgery. The subjects were divided into 4 groups as follows, setback (shortening) sides in mandibular prognathism (Prog S group; n = 42), advancement (lengthening) sides in mandibular retrognathism (Retro L group; n = 24), setback (shortening) sides in mandibular asymmetry (Asym S group; n = 16) and advancement (lengthening) sides in mandibular asymmetry (Asym L group; n = 16). Postoperative computed tomography (CT) was analyzed for all patients pre-operatively, and at 1 week and 1 year postoperative. Mandibular body height at the site of the fixation plate, mandibular upper height above the plate and mandibular lower height under the plate were measured by 3-dimensional (3D) CT.ResultsThere were no significant differences in mandibular height between the lengthening and shortening sides in mandibular prognathism, retrognathism and asymmetry in the time-course change. Upper mandibular height at the mid-point of the fixation plate after 1 year was significantly smaller than that after 1 week in all sides (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study suggested that slight bone resorption could occur at the upper site of a fixation plate after set back and advancement SSRO.