Changes in gonial angle and mandibular width after orthognathic surgery in mandibular prognathic patients

ABSTRACT

The treatment plan for orthognathic surgery must be based on accurate predictions, and this can be produced the most esthetic, functional and stable results. The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate the amount and interrelationship of the gonial angle and the mandibular width change after the mandibular setback surgery in the mandibular prognathic patients. Twenty patients were selected who received orthognathic surgery after presurgical orthodontic treatment. The patients with skeletal and dental Class III malocclusion were operated upon with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and mandibular setback. The lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively, postoperative 1 day and 12 months later after the orthognathic surgery, and then the gonial angle and mandibular width were measured. The computerized statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS/PC program. The gonial angle at postoperative 1 day was decreased about 5.3 degrees than preoperative value and the gonial angle at postoperative 12 months was increased about 1.4 degrees than postoperative 1 day. So the gonial angle at postoperative 12 months was decreased about 3.9 degrees than preoperative value. The mean preoperative gonial angle was 125.35 degrees +/-7.36, showing significantly high value than normal and mean gonial angle at postoperative 12 months was 121.45 degrees +/-6.81, showing value near to normal. The mandibular width at postoperative 1 day was decreased about 1.1 mm than preoperative value and the mandibular width at postoperative 12 months was more decreased about 1.7 mm than postoperative 1 day. So the mandibular width at postoperative 12 months was decreased about 2.8 mm than preoperative value. These results indicate that sagittal split ramus osteotomy in mandibular prognathic patients with high gonial angle is effective to improvement of gonial angle. It is considered to be helpful for maintenance of postoperative stable gonial angle area that detailed postoperative care and follow-up.