Posttraumatic osteotomies of the jaws.

The increase in road traffic accidents as well as injuries caused by violence has resulted in an increase of fractures of the facial bones. These fractures are not always treated properly. Sometimes they are not treated at all because of their complexity or, more often, because of the associated, mainly neurological, injuries. With the advances in orthognathic surgery a variety of osteotomy techniques have become available. Originally designed to treat congenital deformities, they can also be used to improve posttraumatic malposition of the maxillofacial bones.