Analysis of relapse after mandibular advancement surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthognathic surgery
• Craniofacial surgery
• Skeletal relapse

Background:

• Mandibular advancement surgery is a common procedure for skeletal discrepancies.
• Skeletal relapse after surgery can negatively impact treatment outcomes.
• Understanding the causes of relapse is crucial for improving surgical techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate skeletal relapse in patients undergoing mandibular advancement surgery.
• To identify potential causes and contributing factors to skeletal relapse.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective evaluation of 17 cases of mandibular advancement surgery.
• Long-term follow-up data (12 cases) for skeletal changes.
• Analysis of proximal segment movement and condyle displacement.

Main Results:

• Inferior movement of the proximal segment and condyle displacement were observed.
• This occurred during surgery or in the immediate postoperative period.
• Proximal segment instability was strongly associated with distal segment skeletal relapse.

Conclusions:

• Inferior condyle movement during or shortly after mandibular advancement surgery may cause skeletal relapse.
• Soft tissue attachments (periosteum, muscles) stretched during surgery might mediate this effect.
• Further research into surgical techniques to mitigate soft tissue tension is warranted.