Complications after mandibular setback with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomies: a retrospective cohort analysis of 133 patients.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we assessed the rate of complications and morbidity after mandibular setback with bilateral intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO).

STUDY DESIGN

In total, 133 patients were included. The prevalence of neurosensory disturbance (NSD), surgical site infection (SSI), and other complications were registered 2 months and 1 year after surgery. The correlations between complications and age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, body mass index, blood loss, and operative time were evaluated.

RESULTS

NSD was reported for 6.8% of the patients (9 of 133) 2 months after surgery (3.8% of the operated sites). The prevalence was significantly higher in female patients (P < .05). Two patients described persistent unilateral reduced sensibility after 1 year (1.5%). In total, 0.8% of the operated sites (2 of 266) had persistent NSD after 1 year. None of the patients required prolonged hospitalization, and 95.5% (127 of 133) were discharged the day after surgery. None of the patients experienced severe bleeding, and only 1 patient developed SSI. There were no significant correlations between patient-specific or intraoperative parameters evaluated and registered complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that IVRO is a safe surgical technique associated with a low complication rate. IVRO can be an alternative technique for mandibular setback in patients who can tolerate postoperative maxillomandibular fixation.