A modified sagittal split osteotomy: description of technique

Abstract

The mandibular ramus bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is the common approach in orthognathic surgery; however, this design has some limitations to achieve a good definition in the angle of the jaw in Class II patients with a decreased posterior facial height. This paper aims to show a novel modification and its technic description of the conventional BSSO which increases the vertical length of mandibular ramus and angle, in two patients with a similar diagnosis with a one-year follow-up. In conclusion, modified sagittal split osteotomy is the result of the conjunction of two techniques (BSSO and chin wing osteotomy), that is useful in patients who benefit from improvement in the projection of the mandible angle and increase in posterior facial height. Future studies involving long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate the permanence of these results.