Sequential changes of postoperative condylar position in patients with facial asymmetry.

Abstract

To evaluate sequential images of the condylar position in relation to the glenoid fossa after orthognathic surgery in patients with facial asymmetry using cone beam computed tomography. A total of 20 adult patients (11 men and 9 women; mean age, 22.1 ± 4.02 years) with facial asymmetry who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy with rigid fixation were involved. Cone beam computed tomography scans were obtained before treatment (T0), 1 month before the surgery (T1), and 1 day (T2), 3 months (T3), 6 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after the surgery. The condyle position was evaluated. At 1 day after surgery (T2), the condylar position on both sides significantly changed posteriorly, inferiorly, and laterally, but no significant difference was observed between the nonaffected and affected sides. The condyle on the nonaffected side had a tendency to recover its preoperative position at 3 months after surgery (T3) and inclined slightly laterally up to 1 year after the surgery (T5). The condyle on the affected side returned more closely to the glenoid fossa than to its pretreatment position at 3 months after surgery (T3). Thereafter, it showed a more backward and downward position (T5). The overall condylar position after an orthognathic surgery in patients with facial asymmetry was relatively stable at 1 year after surgery. However, the condyle on the affected side during the first 3 months after surgery should be carefully monitored for surgical stability.