Gonial angle reduction during mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomy

ABSTRACT

A prognathic mandible and prominent gonial angle are considered to be unattractive in the Orient because it gives the face a square and muscular appearance. Requests for contouring of the mandibular angle are rare in the other race but are much more common in Korea and, through out the Orient. So, we often encounter a patient with a prognathic mandible and squarish or broad face who wishes to have his or her facial size reduced minimally or to acquire a round or slender appearance. But, mandibular angle is located in the deepest part of the operative field and the strong tension of the lateral soft tissue makes retraction difficult. It is extremely difficult to reduce the gonial angle with sagittal split ramus osteotomy by intraoral approach at the same time. We apply the method of gonial angle reduction during SSRO and had satisfactory results. We will present our results and hope to give some useful information for management of mandibular deformity.