CORRECTION OF MAXILLOFACIAL ASYMMETRY USING ORTHOGNATHIC SURGICAL METHODS

A total of 20 patients with varying degrees of facial asymmetry were f ollowing clinically and radiographically for at least 18 months after undergoing surgical correction, In 12 of the patient, the cause-of asy mmetry was hemifacial microsomia of varying severity. Infection of the TMJ in early childhood and irradiation damage were other causes of fa cial growth disturbance, Bimaxillary osteotomy In-as carried out in al l cases and was often combined with resection of the coronoid process in order to lengthen the ramus, A postoperative jaw exercise programme has proved important as a means of maintaining or increasing mouth-op ening capacity. The facial asymmetry cases are not easy to correct ten d are not always in line with expectations. However, they are an impor tant part of maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.