THE DETERMINATION OF SAFE ZONE FOR HORIZONTAL RAMUS CUT IN SAGITTAL SPLIT RAMUS OSTEOTOMY WITH CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: A RETROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Aim: Bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) is commonly used to correct mandibular deformities. The first cut for this osteotomy is performed on the medial aspect above the lingula. During this procedure; The most feared intraoperative complication, the undesired fracture. Most of the BSSRO complications consist of condyle fracture or buccal/lingual plate fracture. The aim of this study was to determined the distance between the lingula and the sigmoid notch which is a surgical importance for BSSRO. Material and Methods: This retrospective study composed of the cone beam computed tomography images that were obtained at the our clinic. The sample compromised 70 patients (32 males and 38 females, with an age range of 12 to 28 years). The perpendicular distance between the fixed plane and upper limit of lingula was measured. The sample comprised 70 subjects (32 males and 38 females, with an age range of 12 to 28 years). The obtained data were statistically evaluated. Results: The minimum distance of the between fixed plane passing from sigmoid notch with lingula was found as a minimum of 4.80mm and a maximum of 19.20mm (mean±std. dev.= 11.99mm±2.40, n=140). The right and left side measurement ranged from 4.80mm to 16.4mm (mean±std. dev=11.34mm±2.26, n=70) and 7.72mm to 19.20mm (mean±std. dev.= 12.64mm±2.39, n=70), respectively. Conclusion: The findings obtained in this study provide a guideline for surgeons performing BSSRO on young populations in Turkey. Pre-procedural three-dimensional evaluation provides valuable information to prevent undesirable fractures.