Osseous genioplasty versus chin implants: early complications and patient satisfaction

Osseous genioplasty and chin augmentation with implants are the two main treatment options for retrognathia. This retrospective cohort study was performed to compare the prevalence of complications and patient satisfaction following osseous genioplasty and chin augmentation by implant. Eighty patients were included: 38 underwent advancement osseous genioplasty and 42 received chin implants (alloplastic, either Medpor or Silastic) intraorally or extraorally. The patients were assessed for complications 12 months after surgery, including neurosensory disturbances, infection or extrusion, wound dehiscence, and the need for reoperation. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. The infection rate was significantly higher in the chin implant group than in the genioplasty group (P = 0.028). Moreover, dehiscence and the need for reoperation appeared to be more common following chin augmentation with implants. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of neurosensory disturbances between the two groups (P = 0.137). In the chin implants group, the extraoral approach resulted in a lower dehiscence rate than the intraoral approach. Patients in the genioplasty group had significantly higher satisfaction scores than those in the chin implant group (P = 0.001). Overall, the rates of the complications assessed were lower and patient satisfaction was higher after osseous genioplasty when compared to chin augmentation with implants.