The Versatility of Extraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy for Mandibular Prognathism: A Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Orthognathic surgery simply means alignment of the jaws. The aim of orthognathic surgery is to normalize the relationship of the jaws between themselves and the rest of the craniofacial complex. Mandibular prognathism is a common clinical problem all over the world. Currently, sagittal ramus osteotomy is the primary choice for correcting most cases of mandibular retrognathism and prognathism. The surgical option for extreme cases of mandibular prognathism is extraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (EVRO) or intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) or inverted L osteotomy.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the versatility of EVRO for mandibular prognathism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with the chief complaint of mandibular prognathism with no history of keloid tendency were included in the study. EVRO was done for all patients. The parameters based on which the outcome of the surgical procedure was assessed were time taken for the surgical procedure, facial harmony both in frontal and profile views postoperatively, and intraoperative and postoperative complications, and assessment of the postoperative results was done through orthopantomogram (OPG) and 3D CT scan.

RESULTS

The time taken for the entire surgical procedure, starting from incision to closure, varied between 80 and 94 minutes with the average time taken for the surgery being 90 ± 8.80 minutes. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative (M = 53.4, SD = 5.854) and postoperative evaluation (M = 47.5, SD = 5.039) of the posterior nasal spine to nasion 1 (PNS-N 1) horizontal plane (HP) (mm) with p < 0.001. Similarly, there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative (M = 81.4, SD = 2.716) and postoperative evaluation (M = 74.4, SD = 3.627) of mandible body length (mm) with p < 0.001. However, no statistically significant difference exists between the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of anterior nasal spine (ANS) to PNS (mm) and ramus height Ar-Go (mm).

CONCLUSION

EVRO is an acceptable surgical procedure owing to the fact that it is relatively simple to carry out, its lack of complications, and its good results.

Vertical Ramus Osteotomy, Is It Still a Valid Tool in Orthognathic Surgery?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate mandibular osteotomy procedures during orthognathic surgery, with an emphasis on the complications of the two leading procedures: intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) and sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). We conducted a retrospective cohort study by extracting the records of patients who underwent either IVRO or SSO procedures during orthognathic surgery in a single center between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 144 patients were included (median age of 20.5 years, 52 males). The IVRO:SSO ratio was 118:26 procedures. When referring to all surgeries performed, IVRO procedures were associated with shorter hospitalization than the SSO procedures, while the overall durations of surgery and follow-up periods were comparable. In contrast, when referring only to bimaxillary procedures, the duration of the IVRO bimaxillary procedures was significantly shorter than the SSO bimaxillary procedures. There were 53 complications altogether. Postoperative complications consisting of skeletal relapse, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, sensory impairment, and surgical-site infection were significantly fewer in the IVRO group. Both types of osteotomies have acceptable rates of complications. IVRO appears to be a safer, simpler, though less acceptable procedure in terms of patient compliance.

Template guided extra oral vertical ramus osteotomy for facial deformity correction - a technical note

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of template as a guide in performing extra-oral vertical ramus osteotomy.

METHODS

A 21-year-old male patient, reported with complaints of facial asymmetry and restricted mouth opening due to ankylosis involving the right TMJ. Interpositional arthroplasty along with extra oral vertical ramus osteotomy and coronoidectomy was planned to correct the ankylosis of TMJ and facial asymmetry. An acrylic template was used as a guide for performing the osteotomy. Intra operative accuracy of the osteotomy and post-operative neurosensory functioning of inferior alveolar nerve was assessed subjectively and objectively by static two-point discrimination test.

RESULTS

In a follow up period of six months, no subjective and objective sings of neuro sensory impairment were reported.

CONCLUSION

Using a template as guide in making vertical ramus osteotomy, avoids intra operative damage to the inferior alveolar nerve.

Surgical correction of dentofacial deformities in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic literature review

The aim of this study was to assess current evidence for the surgical correction of dentofacial deformities in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement from juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A systematic literature review, according to the PRISMA guidelines, was conducted. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, observational studies, and case reports were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were no JIA diagnosis, no clearly defined outcomes, dual publications (except meta-analyses), non peer-reviewed studies, non English language publications, and animal studies. The outcome measures assessed were TMJ function, skeletal alignment, and morbidity. The database search identified 255 citations, of which 28 met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 24 were case reports or case series with a low level of evidence that did not allow for meta-analysis. Extrapolated evidence supports orthognathic surgery in skeletally mature patients with controlled or quiescent JIA and a stable dentofacial deformity. Distraction osteogenesis was recommended for severe deformities. Some authors demonstrated unpredictable postoperative mandibular growth with costochondral grafts. Alloplastic TMJ reconstruction was efficacious, but should be used cautiously in skeletally immature patients. TMJ function and skeletal alignment was improved with reconstruction by any technique and morbidity was low. The surgical correction of arthritis-induced dentofacial deformities is indicated but the level of evidence is low. Prospective multicenter studies are needed.

Digital cutting guide and endoscopically-assisted vertical ramus osteotomy to treat condylar osteochondroma: a long-term study

We have introduced an effective treatment for mandibular condylar osteochondroma with a digital cutting guide and endoscopically-assisted vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO). Eleven patients with unilateral condylar osteochondroma, who did not require orthognathic surgery or had less than 3mm deviation of the chin and a stable occlusion, were treated during the period April 2013-January 2017 with a digital cutting guide and endoscopically-assisted VRO. Clinical data collected included the occlusion, facial contour, and maximum mouth opening (MMO). Computed tomographic (CT) scans were taken before and after operation. Two patients also had additional shaping of the mandibular contour. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed to be osteochondroma in all cases. A mean (range) 19 (12-40) months of follow-up for all 11 cases showed stable postoperative occlusion and facial aesthetics. There were no functional disturbances, recurrence, or condylar absorption. VRO is an alternative to orthognathic surgery for patients with osteochondroma who do not have severe malocclusions. The digital cutting guide and endoscopically-assisted VRO make it possible to achieve precise resection of the tumour and maintain the occlusion with minimal invasion.

The effect of orthognathic surgery on the temporomandibular joint and oral function: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to examine the effect of orthognathic surgery (OS) on the temporomandibular joint and oral function. Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published until October 2015. Articles were assessed against predefined inclusion criteria. The included papers were divided into four groups based on the type of OS performed. The following items were recorded: quality of evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based medicine (CEBM) criteria, number of patients, presence/absence of controls, mean age at treatment, follow-up time, clinical examination findings, bite force, use of the Helkimo Index and Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, imaging findings, and patient questionnaire results. A total of 4669 articles were identified; 76 relevant articles were included in the review. These studies assessed a total 3399 patients and 380 controls, with a mean age of 25.4 years. The great variety of OS techniques, examination techniques, diagnostic criteria, and imaging techniques used in the articles studied, as well as the quality of the study designs, made it difficult to compare studies and to draw conclusions. However, looking at the different aspects studied in general, it can be stated that OS seems to have little or no harmful effect on the TMJ and oral function (level of evidence: levels II, III, and IV).