Intercondylar distance before and after mandible resection

Purpose One of the goals of mandible resection and reconstruction is achieving optimal occlusion. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the pre- and post-operative condyle distances. Patients and methods All computed tomography (CT) scans of 32 patients with a partial mandible resection who were treated between 2006 and 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. The distances between the condyle centres were measured before and after mandible resection. Results The preoperative intercondylar distance of the 32 patients was between 85.8 and 109.5 mm (median = 100.5 mm), and the post-operative distance was between 87.0 and 110.5 mm (median = 100.6 mm). There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative distances. Conclusion Reconstruction plates and bony reconstructions do not significantly change the intercondylar distance.