Low to high oblique ramus piezoosteotomy: a pilot study.

Two major drawbacks of classical bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) are occasional inferior alveolar nerve damage and bad splits. In order to avoid these two well-known disadvantages and benefit from ultrasonic bone cutting, a low-to-high oblique piezoosteotomy (LHO) was developed from Schlössmann's 1922 high oblique osteotomy, clinically evaluated with a standard and a novel osteosynthesis system. Eighty-five patients were retrospectively evaluated, 23 with an LHO osteotomy with standard osteosynthesis, 33 LHO with a dedicated plate osteosynthesis and compared to 29 patients with BSSO and standard osteosyntheses. The mean mandibular advancement in the LHO standard osteosynthesis/LHO dedicated plate osteosynthesis/BSSO collectives was 4.7 ± 2.5/7.8 ± 7.1/4.1 ± 2.8 mm, the mean one year relapse 2.6 ± 0.8 (p = 0.58)/1.4 ± 1.4 (p = 0.28)/2.1 ± 1.4 mm; the mean mandibular setback was 6.9 ± 3.6/7.7 ± 4.1/8.1 ± 4.9 mm and the one year relapse 2.9 ± 2.9 (p = 0.16)/1.4 ± 1.0 (p = 0.38)/1.5 ± 1.9 mm; clockwise rotation of the mandible was 5.2 ± 3.2/6.3 ± 5.1/10.2 ± 6.9°, the one year relapse 2.7 ± 1.2 (p = 0.18)/2.1 ± 1.7 (p = 0.09)/11.4 ± 9.3°; counterclockwise rotation averaged 6.4 ± 3.2/6.5 ± 7.9/6.5 ± 6.1° with a mean one year relapse of 3.3 ± 0.6 (p = 0.37)/3.7 ± 1.9 (p = 0.21)/4.5 ± 6.2°. LHO had 3%, BSSO 5% three months postoperative inferior alveolar nerve deficit (p = 0.17). The operation time was significantly shorter when LHO and dedicated plates were used compared to BSSO. Two broken conventional plates occurred in LHO, which stimulated the development of the dedicated plates used, one in BSSO; four bad splits in BSSO and two in LHO. Reosteosyntheses were performed using the newly developed dedicated "orthognathics" plate. LHO was successfully performed, easier and faster than BSSO. Gonial angle modifications were possible due to the oblique cut. Postoperative stability appears sufficient for moderate repositioning with a lower incidence of bad split and inferior alveolar nerve irritation, moreover blood loss was reduced. Since 2 standard miniplate fractures occurred in LHO, the "orthognathics" osteosynthesis was developed, applied and no further osteosynthesis fractures were seen.

One-stage microvascular mandible reconstruction and alloplastic TMJ prosthesis.

Severely deformed or absent temporomandibular joints (TMJ) benefit from total alloplastic joint replacement and large mandibular defects from revascularized free tissue transfer for reconstruction. However no cases of their combined one-stage placement with outcomes can be found in the literature. We present two cases with different indications and reconstruction. The first patient required mandibular body and ascending ramus reconstruction after previous sarcoma resection. This was with a condyle-bearing reconstruction plate which resulted in significant dysfunction, leaving the patient unable to open her mouth. A one-stage vascularized iliac crest free flap and alloplastic TMJ prosthesis was used to reconstruct the mandible. Subsequently, metal removal, soft tissue augmentation by lipotransfer and dental implant placement were performed. At 63 months follow-up patient was pain-free, with mouth opening, protrusion and lateral excursion back to normal. The second patient required mandibular body, ascending ramus and joint reconstruction, performed by transoral vascularized fibula free flap with temporal vessel anastomosis. The traumatic deep bite and posterior facial height were corrected, additional submandibular scars avoided by transoral placement of the fibula transplant and a miniaturized TMJ prosthesis along with the vascularised free flap with 28 months follow-up. A miniaturized TMJ prosthesis may become placed transorally for reconstruction of the TMJ, together with a vascularized free flap for mandibular reconstruction and promises good long-term stability with normal function above all for protrusion and lateral excursion.

Assessment of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion regarding pterygomaxillary disjunction using thin volume-rendering technique: in variance analysis and in reliability, accuracy, and validity.

PURPOSE: To assess surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) with or without pterygomaxillary disjunction using a thin volume-rendering technique in variance analysis and in reliability, accuracy, and validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin volume-rendered images of 68 patients were evaluated preoperatively and 2.87 ± 1.59 months after expansion with respect to dentoskeletal effects. RESULTS: Variance analysis of SARME with pterygomaxillary disjunction showed an important decrease in transverse widening and segmental outward inclination and an increase in vestibular bone plate thickness (premolars) in patients younger than 20 years with bone-borne devices; the greatest increase in transverse widening was in patients with 3-segment osteotomy and tooth-borne devices. Analysis of SARME without pterygomaxillary disjunction showed an important decrease in transverse widening and segmental inward inclination in patients older than 20 years with bone-borne devices; the greatest pterygoid lateral bending was in patients with 2-segment osteotomy and bone-borne devices. CONCLUSION: The performance of pterygomaxillary disjunction should depend on patient age (ie, treatment with pterygomaxillary disjunction in those >20 years old; treatment without pterygomaxillary disjunction in those <20 years old). Patients with pterygomaxillary disjunction, 3-segment osteotomy, and tooth-borne devices tended to show an increase in transverse widening but at the price of greater attachment loss. Patients younger than 20 years with pterygomaxillary disjunction and bone-borne devices tended to show an increase in vestibular bone plate (premolars) but at the price of decrease in transverse widening.

En bloc resection of the lateral orbital rim to reduce exophthalmos in patients with Graves' disease.

INTRODUCTION: Today, elective surgical procedures are performed on patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy for aesthetic and "quality-of-life" reasons and only rarely in emergency cases to prevent blindness. The surgical methods should have minimal adverse effects and reliable outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: En bloc resection of the lateral orbital rim and part of the orbital floor was performed on 44 patients over a 7-year period. An osteotomy was made in the inferolateral wall of the orbit via a subciliary incision and the periorbital tissues were resected. Exophthalmos reduction, postoperative changes in strabismus and extraocular muscle function, visual acuity and follow-on operations were analysed. RESULTS: Most patients underwent surgery for exophthalmos, conjunctival and corneal symptoms. The average exophthalmos reduction was 3.8+/-1.5mm (range 1.5-7.5mm, p<0.01). No loss of vision was noted. Overall, a reduction in diplopia was achieved, although new strabismus appeared after surgery in one patient. Nineteen patients required additional lid surgery. CONCLUSION: The procedure for exophthalmos reduction is as effective as other two-wall expansion methods and it features low risks for loss of vision, new-onset diplopia and other disturbances of extraocular motility.