Guillermo Salgado A; Oscar Inzunza H; Mario Cantín; Ramón Fuentes; Verónica Inostroza; María Jesús Errázuriz & Cindy Pavez

Summary

Sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) of the mandible is one of the most common surgical techniques to correct mandibular deformities. In order to prevent many surgical anatomical problems, surgeons have found that further investigation of the anatomical structures related to SSRO is needed. This study aims to investigate positions of the antilingula (AL), inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and other anatomic landmarks in relation to the lingula of dried mandibles. 70 Chilean dried hemimandibles were studied. The AL, others landmarks and the corresponding position of the L were marked on the internal and external aspect of the mandibular ramus respectively. The distances from the AL, IAN and L were measured in the anterior­posterior and the superior­inferior planes using a digital caliper and geometric relationship was established. The results showed the AL was discernible in 100% of lateral mandibular rami studied. The most of the AL was found anteriorly to the L with a mean distance of 0.66±2.43mm and 0.92±2.56mm, and 4.23 ± 2.97mm and 3.62±3.14mm superiorly (right-left sides respectively) (both with p value <0.001). Similar values were seen in relation with IAN. No significant differences were found between the right and left sides, for the majority of parameters. The studied parameters will assist clinicians to determine the anatomical proximity to the IAN, and, minimize the risk of damaging nerver and vessels. We do not recommend the use of antilingula as only anatomical landmark when performing a SSRO procedure.

KEY WORDS: Sagittal split ramus osteotomy; Mandible; Anatomical landmarks; Antilingula; Lingula; inferior alveolar nerve.

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