Sagittal split technique. II. Radiographic findings during the fixation period. A radiographic follow-up study

The radiological appearance of 28 patients following sagittal split osteotomy was studied during the fixation period. Larger areas of overlap and smaller diastasis between the fragments were more frequently associated with short periods of fixation (7 weeks or less). This difference was not statistically significant. In 84% of the operated sides varying degrees of decalcification could be seen within the bone structures. Using tomographic images callus formation between fragments could be registered in 75% of the cases before or at the termination of the fixation; these cases were all stable after removal of fixation. With the exception of two cases the remaining 25% were clinically stable, however, although callus formation could not be demonstrated radiographically.