An in vitro comparison of the mechanical characteristics of three sagittal ramus osteotomy fixation techniques.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to compare the mechanical characteristics of three techniques for the rigid internal fixation of simulated sagittal ramus osteotomies in terms of their ability to resist vertical loads resembling masticatory forces.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen bovine ribs of similar size and shape were subjected to uniform osteotomies resembling a sagittal ramus osteotomy. They were divided into three groups and fixed with three 2.0-mm bicortical positional screws in an inverted L-pattern, eight monocortical screws and a sagittal strut plate, or a hybrid system using three 2.0-mm bicortical positional screws, five 2.0-mm monocortical screws, and a sagittal strut plate. The repaired ribs were secured in a jig, subjected to vertically deforming forces, and evaluated for yield load, yield point, maximum load, displacement at maximum load, load at 3.0 mm displacement, and stiffness. The various groups were compared statistically with a Scheffe multiple comparison test.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences existed between the positional screw group and the hybrid group (P > .05). No statistically significant differences were noted in yield displacement, yield load, displacement at maximum load, for any of the groups (P > .05). There were differences noted between the monocortical strut group and other groups in maximum load, load at 3.0 mm displacement, and stiffness (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: The monocortically fixed sagittal strut plate offers less resistance to maximum load and loads at 3.0 mm displacement and is less stiff than either a three-positional screw system or a hybrid system. No differences existed between the three positional screw systems and the hybrid system. However, given the low yield loads and yield displacements, these differences may not be clinically important.