Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) is the technique in vogue which is used for correction of a range of mandibular corpus deformity involving the dentoalveolar segment. The surgical technique has been subjected to a variety of modifications ever since its inception in the 1950s. One of the operative objectives which has been advocated sacrosanct has been the visual identification of lingula during the exposure of the medial aspect of the ramus. MATERIALS AND METHOD: BSSRO was successfully carried out in 45 cases operated over a period of eight years for correction of different kinds of skeletal mandibular deformity. The medial subperiosteal dissection did not involve a visual identification of the lingula. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the visual identification of the lingula is not essential to carry out a safe BSSRO procedure.