Relationship of the mandibular canal to the lateral cortex of the mandibular ramus as a factor in the development of neurosensory disturbance after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

Purpose: This study evaluated the location of the mandibular canal in the ramus of the mandible before bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and examined its relationship with postoperative neurosensory disturbance.

Patients And Methods: The subjects consisted of 20 patients undergoing bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Before surgery, the region from a plane containing the lowest point of the mandibular foramen to 22 mm below it was observed on transaxial computed tomograms acquired with a slice thickness of 2 mm and a slice interval of 2 mm.