Patient-specific 3D-printed cutting guides for high oblique sagittal osteotomy - An innovative surgical technique for nerve preservation in orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible according to Obwegeser/Dal Pont is considered to be gold standard in orthognathic surgery. Frequently reported complications of BSSO are injuries of the mandibular nerve resulting in paresthesia/anesthesia as well as inadequate mandibular bone fracturing ('bad split'). High oblique sagittal osteotomy (HOSO) was introduced to overcome these complications. We present an innovative HOSO modification using patient-specific 3Dprinted cutting guides positioned on the outside of the ascending mandibular ramus and fixed in the incisura semilunaris, precisely marking the optimal height and angle of the osteotomy. Advantages are a decreased operation time due to the simplicity of this less invasive procedure, a potentially reduced frequency of mandibular nerve damage and bad splits as well as a lower bleeding risk.