Assessment of Relapse Following Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy Mandibular Setback and Short-term Immobilization

Aim: Relapse is an important issue of concern following operations for mandibular setback. Decreasing the immobilization (IMF) period may play a role in this regard. Usual IMF period ranges from 1 to 2 months. We aimed to assess relapse following a 1-week IMF period. Materials and methods: This study aimed to assess 40 purely prognathic patients who had undergone Vertical Ramus osteotomy for mandibular setback. After the release of IMF, guiding elastics were used to direct the mandible to maximal intercuspation for 3 weeks. Relapse was measured from cephalometric radiographs preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Results: The mean skeletal horizontal relapse after 1 year in 40 treated patients was 0.6 mm. Conclusion: The mean skeletal horizontal relapse after 1 year was similar to figures reported for this operation with longer fixation.