A comparison between superior and inferior border wiring techniques in sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

The proper alignment of the proximal and distal segments after the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) has been a major concern since this procedure was first performed. Because of this problem, a comparison was made between a superior border wiring technique and an inferior border wiring technique. This involved the preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms of 35 patients from the Department of Oral Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia who received a SSRO with advancement. Nineteen patients received an inferior border wire and 16 patients received a superior border wire. The areas studied were anterosuperior rotation of the proximal segment, increase in gonial angle, and condylar sag. A cephalometric evaluation and a computer analysis were performed. It was found that the inferior border wiring technique produces a statistically significant lesser amount of anterosuperior rotation of the proximal segment and less increase in gonial angle than the superior border wiring technique. Because of these findings, it was felt that the inferior border wiring techniques produce less displacement of the proximal segment in the SSRO advancement.