Evaluation of bony changes observed in mandibular osteotomy lines and mandibular condyles following bilateral sagittal ramus osteotomy by fractal analysis

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the surgically impacted trabecular changes in mandibular osteotomy lines and mandibular condyles after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy using the fractal analysis method. Materials and method The study population consisted of 30 patients (9 male, 21 female) diagnosed with mandibular prognathism and operated with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy under general anesthesia. Fractal analyses observed the alterations on the trabecular structure of osteotomy lines, and mandibular condyles on panoramic radiographs obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, 1st week, 6th month, and 12th month. The box-counting method was used to evaluate the changes in trabecular structure by fractal analysis. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results The fractal dimension values in both osteotomy lines and mandibular condyles were significantly decreased on postoperative 1st week regarding preoperative values. However, fractal dimension values commenced increasing in the following postoperative period. The fractal dimension values of the horizontal and vertical osteotomy lines reached their preoperative values on postoperative 6th and 12th month, respectively. The decreased fractal dimension values observed in the early postoperative period in the right and left condyles reached their preoperative values at the 6th postoperative month. Conclusion Fractal analyses performed postoperatively can provide information about trabecular changes and bone healing of structures such as osteotomy lines directly affected by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and indirectly affected mandibular condyles. The results support that fractal analysis can be used together with clinical data in the evaluation of bone healing process.