Comparison of fragility generated by 3 different sagittal mandible osteotomies: in vitro study

Abstract

The bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible (BSSO) was published by Trauner and Obwegeser in 1957, since then it has undergone several modifications in order to reduce complications and make the procedure simpler and more predictable. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the fragility caused in the mandible by 3 types of BSSO. For this, the osteotomies proposed by Trauner and Obwegeser modified by Hunsuck and Epker (I), Sant'Ana (II) and Wolford (III) were performed on 24 polyurethane hemimandibles, a mechanical test to generate the sagittal fracture. Data were collected and tabulated, and the result was that, the highest amount of maximum force applied was observed in group III, and the lowest amount in group II; with regard to deflection, it was statistically significant between group II and group III; with regard to stiffness, the highest average was found in group I. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that within this study model, osteotomy II was able to generate greater fragility to the polyurethane hemimandible with less force. The BSSO of the groups I and III also showed excellent results, however they required more force to reach the fracture.