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Endoscope-assisted rigid fixation for intraoral vertical subsigmoid osteotomy: a preliminary clinical study
1Discipline of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. lkcheung@hku.hk
Purpose:
To illustrate the clinical technique of endoscope-assisted rigid fixation in intraoral vertical subsigmoid osteotomy and to report on early postoperative morbidities.
Materials And Methods:
Six patients presenting with Class III skeletal profile were recruited. The osteotomy was performed through an intraoral route. Rigid fixation was achieved with a 3-mm stab incision located inferior to the ear pinna, allowing access to the transbuccal trocar. A rigid endoscope was introduced intraorally to improve visibility during fixation. Each patient's preoperative and 3-month postoperative radiographs and clinical morbidities (neurosensory status and temporomandibular joint function) were assessed.
Results:
Most patients (83.3%) fully recovered inferior alveolar nerve function, and 66.6% recovered temporomandibular joint function. The scar from the stab incision was effectively camouflaged by the ear pinna and was not noticeable to the patients.
Conclusion:
This preliminary study confirms that the application of endoscope-assisted rigid fixation in intraoral vertical subsigmoid osteotomy is clinically feasible. All patients presented with minimal clinical morbidities and good stability at the early postoperative period.
