Efficacy of Sagittal Split Fix Plates with Adjustable Slider for Intra-operative Identification and Correction of...

To assess the efficacy of sagittal split plate with adjustable slider for intra-operative correction of condylar sag after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

Patients reporting for correction of mandibular skeletal deformities for correction with sagittal split osteotomy (SSRO) were enrolled in the study. Simple randomization method was followed for patient allocation. Patients in group A had undergone fixation sagittal split fix plates; in group B, miniplate fixation with monocortical screws was used. Occlusion was the key indicator of condylar sage that was checked at different time frames (intra-operatively T0, immediate T1, 6 months postoperatively T2). Preoperative, immediate and late postoperative (at 6 months and 1-year interval) and lateral cephalometric assessment was used to assess their stability.

Thirty-three patients were enrolled and 20 patients were included in the study. One patient of group A presented with central condylar sag that was identified intra-operatively and addressed immediately. All the patients in group B presented with type 2 peripheral condylar sag that was addressed by inter-maxillary elastics and orthodontics. Two patients in group A presented with mild degree of relapse at 6 months, which was comparable to the control group indicating good stability.

Sagittal split plates appear to be efficacious for intra-operative identification and correction of condylar sag is associated with SSRO.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-022-01782-7.