A NEW MANDIBULOTOMY TECHNIQUE FOR THE DENTATE PATIENT

Past mandibulotomy techniques, useful for surgical access to pathology of the head and neck, are complicated by postoperative malocclusion when performed on dentate patients. Malocclusion results from closure of the gap created by the saw blade during reconstruction. A new method of mandibulotomy bicortically splits the symphysis using an osteotome, with modifications to spare healthy dentition. The bicortical split osteotomy allows the hemimandibular segments to be approximated, accurately aligned, and rigidly fixed with three bone screws and a dental arch bar. © 1991 American Society of Plastic Surgeons.