Stability of bimaxillary osteotomy following surgical correction of class II skeletal deformities: a two-centre study

This study compares the stability following bimaxillary osteotomy for correction of class II skeletal deformities between two groups of patients. One group (15 patients) were treated at Canniesburn Hospital, West of Scotland Regional Plastic and Maxillofacial Unit, UK. The other group (15 patients) were treated at Ann Arbor Michigan University Hospital, USA. All cases were treated by Le Fort I maxillary advancement/impaction and bilateral sagittal split advancement osteotomy. In all cases Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy was more stable than sagittal split advancement osteotomy. The maxilla stayed within 1 mm of its immediate postoperative position. The average mandibular advancement in Canniesburn cases was 6 mm and about 4 mm in Michigan cases. During surgery the condyles were displaced about 2 mm posteriorly in Canniesburn cases, but remain in their anatomic position in Michigan cases. At 6 months following surgery, Canniesburn patients showed a clockwise mandibular relapse. This increased both the mandibular plane angle and ramus angle by 2.7 degrees and 2.9 degrees respectively. The mandible settled posteriorly 1.7 mm and inferiorly 1.5 mm. In Michigan cases the mandible stayed within 1 mm of its immediate postoperative position. The difference in mandibular relapse between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The differences in the stability between the two groups are investigated and the theories of mandibular relapse following sagittal split osteotomy are discussed.