Mandibular range of motion after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy with wire osteosynthesis or rigid fixation

Objectives. An analysis was conducted to compare mandibular range of motion among Class II patients treated with wire osteosynthesis or rigid internal fixation after surgical mandibular advancement. Study design. Patients randomly received wire osteosynthesis and 8 weeks of maxiliomandibular fixation (n = 49) or rigid internal fixation (n = 78). Mandibular range of motion was measured 2 weeks before surgery and 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. Results. Both groups showed decreased mobility in all movement dimensions that progressively recovered to near presurgical levels over the 5-year follow-up period. The difference in range of motion between treatment groups was not statistically significant. Changes in proximal and distal segment position could not explain decreased mobility. Conclusions. Similar decreases in mandibular mobility occurred with wire and rigid fixation of a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy after surgery. Long-term changes were statistically, but not clinically, significant.