Mandibular body sagittal osteotomy in the correction of malunited edentulous mandibular fractures.

The severely atrophied mandible presents multiple problems in reduction and fixation when bilateral mandibular body fractures occur. These problems sometimes result in malunited fractures. The two most common malpositions in these situations include a clockwise rotation (viewed from the patient's right) of the distal fragment and/or the counter-clockwise rotation of a proximal fragment. Body sagittal osteotomy as originally described by Sáda (1966) offers some advantages in the secondary reconstruction of these mandibular deformities. Five patients with mandibular body malunions have been treated successfully with two cases used in this article to demonstrate the application of body sagittal osteotomy. Permanent damage to the inferior alveolar nerve appears minimal and no other significant problems were encountered.