A new osteotomy for the correction of mandibular prognathism: techniques and rationale of the intraoral vertico-sagittal ramus osteotomy

Abstract

The sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) are long established methods for correcting mandibular prognathism, each having its own advantages. However, both procedures have the same disadvantage: the potential for postoperative condylar displacement. The displacement of the condyle is mainly due to the fact that the osteotomy plane is not parallel to the original sagittal plane in which the mandible is repositioned. The author has developed a new ramus osteotomy since 1985 in which the osteotomy plane is theoretically parallel to the original sagittal plane and thereby attempting to decrease the incidence of condylar displacement. This osteotomy was designed additionally to decrease neurosensory disturbances and has the advantages of both methods, and therefore has been named 'intraoral vertico-sagittal ramus osteotomy (IVSRO)'. Initial experience with the 24 prognathic patients operated on by means of the IVSRO indicated excellent clinical results. It has been noted clinically that the IVSRO is very effective in reducing postoperative iatrogenic TMJ symptoms and in treating preoperative TMJ symptoms. It has the additional effect of reducing neurosensory disturbances. This osteotomy seems to be more applicable in mandibular prognathism with excessive flaring of the ramus, particularly that associated with TMJ dysfunction, because the IVSRO has a 'condylotomy effect' and its splitting plane diverges less from the original sagittal plane than that of the SSRO and the IVRO.