Evaluation of Intraoral Verticosagittal Ramus Osteotomy for Correction of Mandibular Prognathism: A 10-Year Study

Purpose

To identify intraoperative complications, neurosensory disturbance (NSD), and horizontal relapse after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism using bilateral intraoral verticosagittal ramus osteotomy (IVSRO).

Patients and Methods

Between 1995 and 2005, 237 Iranian patients underwent IVSRO to achieve mandibular setback. Their operation reports, cephalometric radiographs (2 weeks preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively), and neurosensory questionnaires were assessed to identify intraoperative complications, NSD of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), and horizontal relapse.

Results

Intraoperative complications occurred in 26 cases (11%). A total of 17 patients (7.2%) reported NSD of the IAN. The mean surgical setback was 7.99 mm at the B point, and the mean horizontal relapse was 2.16 mm at the B point (after 1 year).

Conclusions

Considering our findings, the benefits of the IVSRO technique (eg, good contact between the 2 parts of the osteotomy, capacity for rigid fixation, low incidence of IAN injury) demonstrate that this technique can easily replace the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy technique to treat mandibular prognathism and is a viable alternative to the sagittal split osteotomy technique to provide mandibular setback.