Change in the Absolute Distance of the Mandibular Condylar Processes after Orthognathic Surgery

<b>Introduction:</b> Orthognathic surgery is a branch of maxillofacial surgery specializing in the correction of malocclusion, facial asymmetries, and other jaw and facial deformities that may be congenital, acquired, or trauma-related. Surgical treatment of skeletal deformities of the facial part of the skull may lead to changes in the distance between the mandibular condylar processes.<b>Aim:</b> The aim of this study is to mathematically assess the impact of orthognathic procedures on the position of mandibular condylar processes based on measurements obtained from imaging studies.<b>Materials and methods:</b> A group of 30 individuals with skeletal Class II or III underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (BiMax). Preoperative diagnostics and postoperative outcomes (6 months after surgery) were evaluated using computed tomography. Statistical analysis was performed on the obtained measurements.<b>Results:</b> The results showed that the absolute distance between mandibular condylar processes decreased following treatment. Statistically significant results were observed only in patients with skeletal Class III at a significance level of α=0.05.<b>Conclusions:</b> Changes in the absolute distance between mandibular condylar processes indicate an indirect impact of orthognathic surgery on these structures. The presented results may serve as a basis for further consideration of the correlation between the discussed medical procedures and changes occurring in adjacent anatomical structures not directly affected by the surgery.