The role of a posteriorly inclined condylar neck in condylar resorption after orthognathic surgery

Recently, it has been reported that a posteriorly inclined condylar neck is associated with condylar resorption following orthognathic surgery, althou gh its role in resorption remains unknown. By cephalometric screening of 24 0 patients with Angle Class II occlusion 2 years after orthognathic surgery , 11 patients with postoperative condylar resorption were identified. The p reoperative posterior inclination of the condylar neck and the surgical ris k factors mentioned in the literature, particularly surgically induced coun terclockwise rotation of the mandibular proximal segment were evaluated. In all 11 cases, the condylar neck was dearly inclined posteriorly. Countercl ockwise rotation of the proximal segment was also observed in all cases, an d it amounted to 6.7 degrees (2.5-12 degrees) on average. The contributing role of a posteriorly inclined condylar neck in connection with surgical ma ndibular movement in postoperative condylar resorption is discussed. (C) 20 00 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.