Temporomandibular joint function 10-15 years after mandibular setback surgery and six weeks of intermaxillary fixation.

INTRODUCTION: Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is a classic method for immobilization of the mandible after mandibular fractures and corrective surgery. However, it has been suggested that IMF may be a risk for developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related symptoms, especially when applied for longer periods. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical function of TMJs and masticatory muscles 10-15 years after mandibular setback surgery and subsequent six weeks of IMF. The patients' self-reported TMJ and masticatory muscle symptoms were also addressed. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-six patients (24 women and 12 men) treated with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomies and subsequent six weeks of IMF, underwent a clinical examination of TMJs and masticatory muscles 10-15 years after surgery and completed a five-item structured questionnaire reporting subjective TMJ-related symptoms. Mean age by the time of clinical examination was 34.1 years (range 27.2-59.8 years). The clinical outcome was registered according to the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed and level of significance was set to 5%. RESULTS: Mean maximum unassisted mouth opening 10-15 years after surgery was 50.1 mm, (range 38-70 mm, SE 1.2), statistically significantly greater in men compared to women (p=0.004). Mean Helkimo dysfunction group was 1.5 (range 1-3, SE 0.10). Eighty-one percent experienced pain on palpation in either the masseter muscle, temporal muscle or both, and 31% experienced pain when moving the mandible in one or more directions. Thirty-one percent reported pain from palpating the TMJs. In the questionnaire, none reported to have pain during chewing or mouth opening on a weekly or daily basis, but 22% reported difficulties with maximum opening of the mouth. CONCLUSION: Ten to fifteen years after mandibular setback surgery the patient's mandibular range of movement is good. Despite clinically recognizable symptoms, few patients reported having TMJ- or masticatory muscle-related symptoms in their daily life.

Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Healthy Class III Patients Treated With Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The study purpose was to assess whether mandibular setback surgery by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) induces obstructive apnea and hypopnea in healthy Class III patients without a history of respiratory dysfunction. We hypothesized that the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) would not exceed 5 events per hour after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. The sample was composed of healthy Class III patients without a history of obstructive sleep apnea treated with isolated mandibular setback surgery by the IVRO procedure at a university hospital. In-home respiratory sleep recordings (Nox T3; Nox Medical, Reykjavik, Iceland) and self-administered questionnaires were obtained before and at least 3 months after surgery. The AHI was the primary outcome variable. Other study variables were as follows: peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, oxygen desaturation index, snore index, body mass index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Oral Impact on Daily Performance index. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed, and the significance level was set at .05. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 8 patients. The mean age at surgery was 23.2 years (range, 18.2 to 33.4 years). The mean amount of surgical setback was 4.3 mm (range, 2.5 to 7.4 mm). The mean body mass index was 24.2 kg/m2 (standard error [SE], 1.3 kg/m2) and 23.9 kg/m2 (SE, 1.4 kg/m2) at the presurgical and postsurgical sleep recordings, respectively. The mean AHI was 1.3 events per hour (SE, 0.3; range, 0.1 to 2.5) before surgery and 1.8 events per hour (SE, 0.4; range, 0.3 to 3.3) after surgery. No statistically significant changes in AHI (P = .412), peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (P = .443), oxygen desaturation index (P = .194), snore index (P = .363), or Epworth Sleepiness Scale (P = .812) were observed. The patients' self-reported oral health-related quality of life was statistically significantly improved after surgery (P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular setback surgery with the IVRO procedure in the range of 2.5 to 7.4 mm did not induce obstructive sleep apnea, measured as an AHI above 5 events per hour, in the 8 healthy, young adult Class III patients presented in this study. More studies including larger patient samples are needed.

Temporomandibular joint function 10-15 years after mandibular setback surgery and six weeks of intermaxillary fixation

Abstract Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is a classic method for immobilization of the mandible after mandibular fractures and corrective surgery. However, it has been suggested that IMF may be a risk for developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related symptoms, especially when applied for longer periods. Objective: To evaluate the clinical function of TMJs and masticatory muscles 10-15 years after mandibular setback surgery and subsequent six weeks of IMF. The patients' self-reported TMJ and masticatory muscle symptoms were also addressed. Methodology: Thirty-six patients (24 women and 12 men) treated with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomies and subsequent six weeks of IMF, underwent a clinical examination of TMJs and masticatory muscles 10-15 years after surgery and completed a five-item structured questionnaire reporting subjective TMJ-related symptoms. Mean age by the time of clinical examination was 34.1 years (range 27.2-59.8 years). The clinical outcome was registered according to the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed and level of significance was set to 5%. Results: Mean maximum unassisted mouth opening 10-15 years after surgery was 50.1 mm, (range 38-70 mm, SE 1.2), statistically significantly greater in men compared to women (p=0.004). Mean Helkimo dysfunction group was 1.5 (range 1-3, SE 0.10). Eighty-one percent experienced pain on palpation in either the masseter muscle, temporal muscle or both, and 31% experienced pain when moving the mandible in one or more directions. Thirty-one percent reported pain from palpating the TMJs. In the questionnaire, none reported to have pain during chewing or mouth opening on a weekly or daily basis, but 22% reported difficulties with maximum opening of the mouth. Conclusion: Ten to fifteen years after mandibular setback surgery the patient's mandibular range of movement is good. Despite clinically recognizable symptoms, few patients reported having TMJ- or masticatory muscle-related symptoms in their daily life.

Relapse and stability after mandibular setback surgery one year postoperatively: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: A retrospective evaluation was performed of dentoalveolar and skeletal stability 1 year after mandibular setback surgery using intraoral vertical subcondylar osteotomy (IVSO) combined with intermaxillary fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (16 men, 12 women) with skeletal Angle Class III malocclusions were included. Mean age at start of treatment was 23.9 years. All patients underwent combined surgical and orthodontic treatment. Dental casts and cephalometric measurements were performed for each patient before orthodontic treatment and at 8 weeks and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Treatment changes from 8 weeks to 1 year after surgery were small but significant for the angular relationship between the maxilla and the mandible in the sagittal plane (ANB) (mean difference, -0.5 mm; P = .021), Wits appraisal (mean difference, -0.7 mm; P = .044), the inclination of the mandible in relation to the nasion-sella line (ML-NSL) (mean difference, -0.8 mm; P = .010), and the inclination of the lower incisors in relation to the nasion-point B line (Li-NB) (mean difference, -0.6 mm; P < .001). These findings for cephalometric values indicated a small skeletal relapse in sagittal and vertical relations. No significant dentoalveolar relapse occurred according to the dental cast evaluations. CONCLUSION: The results clearly show that orthodontic treatment combined with IVSO provides a stable dental and skeletal result 1 year after treatment.