Stability of mandibular advancement procedures: bilateral sagittal split osteotomy versus distraction osteogenesis

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative stability of the mandible after a bilateral lengthening procedure, either by bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) or distraction osteogenesis (DOG). All patients who underwent mandibular advancement surgery between March 2001 and June 2004 were evaluated; 26 patients in the BSSO group and 27 patients in the DOG group were included. The decision to use the intraoral distraction or BSSO for mandibular advancement primarily depended on the patient's choice. In both groups, standardized cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively, postoperatively (BSSO group) or directly post-distraction (DOG group) and during the last study measurement in May 2005. The cephalometric analysis was performed using the following measurements: Sella/Nasion-Mandibular point B and Sella/Nasion-Mandibular Plane. Point B was used to estimate relapse. This study showed no significant difference in relapse between the BSSO and the DOG group measured 10-49 months after advancement of the mandible (p>0.05). There is no postoperative difference in the stability between BSSO and DOG after mandibular advancement after 1 year.