Factors influencing condylar position after the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy fixed with bicortical screws

Purpose: Multiple articles have discussed condylar position after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). However, previous studies have been limited to two-dimensional evaluation of condylar position. The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in condylar position after a BSSO fixed with bicortical screws using three-dimensional computed tomography to assess the factors that may influence the ultimate position of the condyle after surgery. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients underwent isolated mandibular advancement involving a BSSO with rigid fixation. Reformated axial computed tomography was done 1 week before and 8 weeks after surgery. Movements evaluated included 1) medial-lateral, 2) superior-inferior, 3) anterior-posterior, and 4) condylar angulation. Three separate factors were analyzed to study their effects on the four movements noted: 1) amount of mandibular advancement, 2) amount of proximal segment rotation, and 3) preoperative shape of the mandible. A linear regression analysis was used with statistical significance set at P < .05. Results: Eight weeks after a BSSO and mandibular advancement, most cases showed displacement of the condyle medially, posteriorly, superiorly, and angled medially. The amount of mandibular advancement did not correlate with medial-lateral change of the condyle. The amount of advancement correlated with the condyle angulation and superior-inferior changes in condyle position. There was no correlation between amount of advancement and medial or anterior-posterior change in condyle position. There also was no correlation between any of the condylar movements and the degree of proximal segment rotation or the shape of the mandible. Conclusions: There are obvious changes in condyle position after a BSSO. These changes appear to be influenced mainly by factors other than amount of advancement, degree of proximal segment rotation, and shape of the mandible.