Aim: The purpose of this study was to research the effect of outer mandibular cortex osteotomy on local morphology and biomechanics in young miniature pigs.
Methods: Eight 3-month-old miniature pigs were used as experimental animals to establish an animal model for removing the outer cortex of the mandibular body, and the changes in local morphology, fine structure, and biomechanics of the mandible after the operation were evaluated.
Results: The thickness of the operated side decreased to a greater extent than that of the control side. Further, local histologic structure and biomechanics characteristics could be recovered under stress conditions and were close to those of the normal side after the operation. However, some animals (37.5%) exhibited mandible deviation after operation.
Conclusion: Under normal conditions, mandibular outer cortex osteotomy should not be performed in the case of children.
Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.