Screw osteosynthesis compared with wire osteosynthesis in advancement genioplasty: a retrospective study of skeletal stability.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the skeletal stability of wire and screw fixation after advancement genioplasty.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital and private practice, South Africa.

SUBJECTS

40 Patients who required advancement genioplasty, 20 in each group.

INTERVENTIONS

Advancement genioplasty measurements made on cephalometric radiographs before and immediately after operation, and at least 6 months later.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of horizontal and vertical measurements.

RESULTS

In the screw (rigid) group mean horizontal advancement was 6.3 mm followed by a relapse of 0.3 mm during the follow up period. The corresponding figures for the wire (non-rigid) group were 5.8 and 0.5 mm. The two differed significantly in the degree of vertical change but the result is clinically unimportant. There was no difference in the degree of horizontal change.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in skeletal stability between the two groups.