Surgical correction of mandibular prognathism in Norway, 1975-1984. A national survey.

The estimated need for surgical correction of mandibular prognathism in Norway is 500 patients each year. A questionnaire sent to the maxillofacial surgical units performing orthognathic surgery in Norway showed that in the decade from 1975 to 1985 altogether 1169 patients underwent surgical correction of mandibular prognathism; that is, only 117 patients were treated yearly [corrected]. Extraoral vertical subcondylar osteotomy of the mandibular ramus was the preferred surgical technique, performed on 57% of the patients. Intraoral vertical subcondylar osteotomy of the ramus increased in use and thus seems to be taking over for the extraoral technique. Sagittal split osteotomy was used on 25% of the patients. The different units showed great variation in their preference for the different surgical techniques. Preoperative orthodontics was widely used, on a mean of 77% of the patients. The average hospital stay was 8.5 days, somewhat longer than reported from other countries; however, geographical conditions should be taken into consideration.