Abstract
AIM: This split-mouth observational study was conducted to assess the reliability and safety of using the coronoid notch and occlusal plane as landmarks to aid surgeons during bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years, with class II and class III mandibular skeletal malocclusion requiring BSSO, were randomly selected and assigned to each of the study and control groups. A split-mouth study was chosen to conduct this research. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging was conducted before the surgery to evaluate the anatomical structure, and three predefined points were marked at the superiormost point of the mandibular foramen, the inferiormost point of the mandibular foramen, and the deepest point of the sigmoid notch. A conventional sagittal split osteotomy was carried out in the control group. Preoperative values were obtained in the study group using the CBCT imaging technique by drawing an imaginary line from the inferiormost part of the mandibular foramen to the line corresponding to the occlusal plane that extended beyond the last molar. The lingual flap reflection was restricted to the internal oblique ridge. The posterior border of the mandible was not reflected. The measurements acquired via CBCT imaging were accurately transferred to the intraoperative surgical site using a vernier caliper. This facilitated the precise completion of the horizontal osteotomy, ascending ramus cuts, and vertical osteotomies. BSSO was performed, the mandibular setback or advancement was done with intermaxillary fixation, and the procedure was completed by rigid fixation. Types of lingual splits, types of lateral bone cut ends (LBCEs), any unfavorable split, and the time taken for the surgery (in minutes) were assessed. RESULTS: The surgery time in the control group (20.1538 ± 2.85325 min) was found to be higher than that in the study group (17.6154 ± 3.59487 min), with a p-value of 0.02. No significant differences were observed when assessing the presence of unfavorable splits in both groups (p = 0.500). Buccal LBCEs were the most prevalent, followed by inferior types. Type I lingual split was the most common in the study group (70%). CONCLUSION: This technique offers a dependable anatomical reference and significantly reduces surgical time for beginners. Additionally, the patterns of the lingual split were correlated with the types of lateral bone cut ends.