Comparison of screw placement patterns on the rigidity of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy: technical note.

Various screw placement patterns have been described for fixation of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy. This study is a comparative evaluation of 3 different screw placement patterns on the rigidity of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Twenty cadaver mandibles were used to compare the load strength of triangular pattern, oblique linear pattern versus linear pattern. Internal fixation with screws placed in a triangular pattern were significantly more rigid than those fixed with screws placed in the other patterns. Also, internal fixation with an oblique linear pattern was more rigid than that with a linear pattern.