Mandibular angle reduction versus mandible reduction.

Abstract

The terms "mandibular angle reduction" and "reduction angleplasty" refer to operations to reduce the width of the lower face and change a square face to an oval one. Because the terms emphasize the word angle, however, they imply that the operations apply to the mandibular angle. The most frequent complaint after these operations is that the change in the lateral appearance is clear but that the change in the frontal appearance is not noticeable. Such a result is related to the fact that bone resection is performed mainly in the mandibular angle area and is focused particularly on resection of the posterior projection through curved ostectomy. That is, because operations limited to the mandibular angle area cannot properly satisfy patients' requirements, the operation must be applied to a larger area. Therefore, it seems reasonable to change the terms "mandibular angle reduction" and "reduction angleplasty" to "mandible reduction" and "reduction mandibuloplasty." In addition, the most important technique in the operation is the resection of the outer cortex of the mandible. In particular, the corticectomy technique using a reciprocating saw is quite safe and effective for the maximum resection of lateral flaring within a very short time.