Effect of Bimaxillary Surgery on Adaptive Condylar Head Remodeling: Metric Analysis and Image Interpretation Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Volume Superimposition

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 70; no. 8; pp. 1951 - 1959
• Main Authors: Park, Soo-Byung, Yang, Yu-Mi, Kim, Yong-Il, Cho, Bong-Hae, Jung, Yun-Hoa, Hwang, Dae-Seok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Remodeling - physiology; Bone Resorption - diagnostic imaging; Cephalometry - methods; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Male; Malocclusion, Angle Class III - surgery; Mandible - pathology; Mandible - surgery; Mandibular Condyle - diagnostic imaging; Mandibular Condyle - pathology; Maxilla - pathology; Maxilla - surgery; Medical sciences; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures - methods; Osteogenesis - physiology; Osteotomy, Le Fort - methods; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus - methods; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Young Adult; Mandible; Head; Radiodiagnosis; Image interpretation; Superior maxillary; Stomatology; Temporomandibular joint; Condyle of mandible; Treatment; Volume; Surgery; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography
• ISSN: 0278-2391; 1531-5053; 1531-5053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2011.08.017

The aim of the present study was to use cone-beam computed tomography volume superimposition to investigate the effect of bimaxillary orthognathic surgery on condylar head remodeling. Using a retrospective study design, 2 investigators evaluated the cone-beam computed tomography data of subjects who had undergone Le Fort I osteotomy and mandibular setback surgery. The predictor variable was time, grouped as preoperative versus postoperative. The outcome variables were the measurement changes of the condylar heads and the distribution of the condylar head remodeling signs. Paired t and χ2 tests were performed for the purposes of the 2-dimensional metric analysis and the condylar head remodeling distribution. P < .05 was considered significant. The sample was composed of 22 adults (11 men and 11 women, age 20.3 ± 3.2 years) diagnosed with skeletal Class III malocclusion. The intra- and interoperator reliabilities of the image interpretation showed substantial agreement, according to Cohen's kappa index. The condylar heights on the sagittal and coronal planes decreased after surgery. Bone resorption occurred predominantly in the anterior and superior areas on the sagittal plane, the superior and lateral areas on the coronal plane, and the anterolateral and posterolateral areas on the axial plane (P < .05). Bone formation was apparent only in the anteromedial area on the axial plane (P < .05). Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery caused a decrease in the condylar heights and condylar head remodeling. The cone-beam computed tomography volume superimposition method showed that the condylar head had undergone remodeling after bimaxillary surgery.