Comparison of the clinical outcomes of patients having sounds in the temporomandibular joint with skeletal mandibular deformities treated by vertico-sagittal ramus osteotomy or vertical ramus osteotomy.

Objective: This article describes the effects of the intraoral vertico-sagittal ramus osteotomy (IVSRO) procedure on the jaw of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Study Design: IVSRO was performed on 15 patients (30 sides) who had mandibular protrusion or asymmetry with TMJ dysfunction. IVRO was performed on another 15 patients (30 sides). All of the 30 patients had sounds in the TMJ uni- or bilaterally. The relative positions of the condyle and disc and the range of motion of the condyles were determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and 12 months after the operations.

Results: Sounds such as clicking improved in 92% (24/26) of the joints in the IVSRO group, and in 83% (20/24) of the joints in the IVRO group 12 months after the operation. The positional relationship between the condyle and disc on the MR images improved in 82% (9/11) of the joints with reduction of the anterior disc displacement; in 60% (3/5) of the joints without reduction of the anterior disc displacement in the IVSRO group; in 75% (9/12) of the joints with reduction of the anterior disc displacement; and in 40% (2/5) of the joints without reduction of the anterior disc displacement in the IVRO group. Immediately after the operation, the condyle was displaced anterio-inferiorly in all joints in both groups, but gradually returned to close to the preoperative position. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding the extent of shift of the condylar head at 2 weeks and 12 months after the operation.

Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of the IVSRO procedure are similar to those of the IVRO procedure. Therefore, IVSRO may be a suitable procedure for patients having TMJ dysfunction with skeletal mandibular deformities, particularly when an IVRO is unsuitable.