Skeletal stability after mandibular advancement in bilateral sagittal split osteotomies during adolescence

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is the most frequently performed surgery for correcting mandibular retrognathia. Few studies have reported the use of BSSO in young patients, as growth may cause relapse. The aim of the present study was to determine the amount of relapse after performing BSSO in patients aged less than 18 years. Patients who had a mandibular advancement by BSSO surgery between January 2003 and June 2008 were evaluated. Eighteen patients were treated before the age of 18 years and compared with patients treated at 20–24 years of age. Cephalometric radiographs were used to determine the amount of relapse. For patients aged less than 18 years, the mean horizontal relapse after 1 year was 0.5 mm, (10.9% of perioperative advancement). For patients aged 20–24 years, the mean relapse was 0.9 mm, (16.4% of perioperative advancement). There were no significant differences between the age groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the BSSO procedure is a relatively stable procedure, even during adolescence.