Bilateral sagittal split osteotomies and mandibular distraction osteogenesis: a randomized controlled trial comparing skeletal stability

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing the skeletal stability of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and mandibular distraction ostoegenesis (MDO) for moderate mandibular advancement. Study design: Fourteen class II mandibular hypoplasia patients requiring mandibular advancement between 6 and 10 mm were randomized into 2 groups for either BSSO or MDO. Serial lateral cephalographs were taken 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery for the assessment of skeletal stability. The Student t test was used to analyze stability with statistical significance set at P < .05. Results: There was no significant difference (P > .05) in horizontal and vertical skeletal relapse between the 2 groups at every postoperative time period. Conclusions: Although the MDO group reported less horizontal and vertical skeletal relapse for mandibular advancements between 6 and 10 mm at 1 year, no statistically significance was found between the groups. Other patient-related factors need to be considered when choosing one technique over the other. © 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.