Evaluation of skeletal stability following surgical correction of mandibular prognathism.

This retrospective study was designed to assess skeletal stability after the correction of mandibular prognathism by sagittal split osteotomy (SSO) and intraoral vertical subsigmoid osteotomy (VSO). We used lateral cephalographs of 31 patients taken before, immediately after, and at least one year after the operation. We recorded euclidean distance matrix analysis, linear and angular measurements, and x and y co-ordinates of cephalometric landmarks for each cephalograph. There were no significant differences in extent of the mandibular retrognathia or magnitude of change between the two groups. The main significant changes in both groups were reduction of the total mandibular length, and posterior shifting in the mandible. One year after the operation the main change was the mean forward relapse of 2.5 mm in the SSO group and the mean posterior relapse of 0.5 mm in the VSO group. The difference in skeletal stability between the groups was significant (P< 0.05), and we conclude that VSO is the more effective technique for correcting mandibular prognathism. Copyright 2000 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.