Comparative study of postoperative stability between conventional orthognathic surgery and a surgery-first orthognathic approach after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for skeletal class III correction

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the postoperative stability of conventional orthognathic surgery to a surgery-first orthognathic approach after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO). Materials and Methods: The study included 20 patients who underwent BSSRO for skeletal class III conventional orthognathic surgery and 20 patients who underwent a surgery-first orthognathic approach. Serial lateral cephalograms were analyzed to identify skeletal changes before surgery (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), and after surgery (T2, after 1 year or at debonding). Results: The amount of relapse of the mandible in the conventional orthognathic surgery group from T1 to T2 was $2.23{\pm}0.92mm$ (P<0.01) forward movement and $-0.87{\pm}0.57mm$ (non-significant, NS) upward movement on the basis of point B and $2.54{\pm}1.37mm$ (P<0.01) forward movement and $-1.18{\pm}0.79mm$ (NS) upward movement on the basis of the pogonion (Pog) point. The relapse amount of the mandible in the surgery-first orthognathic approach group from T1 to T2 was $3.49{\pm}1.71mm$ (P<0.01) forward movement and $-1.78{\pm}0.81mm$ (P<0.01) upward movement on the basis of the point B and $4.11{\pm}1.93mm$ (P<0.01) forward movement and $-2.40{\pm}0.98mm$ (P<0.01) upward movement on the basis of the Pog. Conclusion: The greater horizontal and vertical relapse may appear because of counter-clockwise rotation of the mandible in surgery-first orthognathic approach. Therefore, careful planning and skeletal stability should be considered in orthognathic surgery.