Does the Levasseur-Merrill Retractor Provide Reliable In Vivo Guidance for the Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy?

Purpose: Levasseur-Merrill retractor (LMR) utilization during the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) helps initiate the osteotomy approximately 7 mm from the posterior border of the mandible, preventing damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. The purpose of this in vivo study is to evaluate the IVRO placement and the risk of neurosensory deficit (NSD) while using the LMR.

Methods: This prospective case series was conducted at a single tertiary care center.