Characteristic Clinical Features of Orthognathic Surgery Patients Encountered Over 18year Period–a Retrospective Study

Background: Since surgical orthodontic treatment for jaw deformity became covered by Japanese health insurance in 1996, the economic burdens associated with treatment have been reduced and social recognition has increased. The number of patients attending hospital for surgical orthodontic treatment has thus been increasing yearly. This study aimed to survey the characteristics of orthognathic surgery performed at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital. Method: This retrospective investigation analyzed the medical records of patients with well-documented orthognathic surgery treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital during the 18-year period from January 2004 to December 2021. Patient records and radiographs were used to obtain sex, age, diagnosis, and surgical technique data. Results: A clinical study was conducted on 113 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery between January 2004 and December 2021. Skeletal prognathism with asymmetry was the most common clinical diagnosis (40 cases), followed by skeletal prognathism alone (39 cases). In surgical procedures, sagittal split ramus osteotomy was the most common surgical procedure (40 cases), followed by bimaxillary osteotomy (34 cases). For the maxilla, Le Fort 1 osteotomy was performed in most cases. Conversely, several surgical procedures were performed for the mandible. The proportion of bimaxillary surgeries was increasing in 2021. Conclusions: Recent increases in complicated procedures may signify improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative management.