Progressive condylar resorption after maxillomandibular advancement surgery: a prospective two-year cone-beam computed tomography cohort study

Abstract

This study estimated the proportion of progressive condylar resorption (PCR) following maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA), compared patients who did and did not develop PCR and analyzed the association between PCR and combined horizontal maxillary and mandibular advancements. This prospective cohort study comprised subjects undergoing MMA at the University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, between June and December 2020, including cone-beam computed tomography imaging preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and two-years postoperatively. The predictor variables were surgical mandibular and maxillary advancement (mm). The outcome variables were the proportion of developed PCR and the relative condylar volume change (%) two years following MMA. Forty-seven patients were included (mean age: 21.72 ± 4.21). Ten patients (21%) presented 17 condyles affected with PCR two years following MMA. The affected condyles suffered a mean condylar volume loss of 46.42 ± 15.06%. Patients who developed postoperative PCR underwent a statistically significantly larger mean surgical mandibular advancement, 13.32 ± 3.92 mm, compared to those without postoperative PCR development, 9.95 ± 4.15 mm (P = 0.03). Patients who developed PCR underwent statistically significant larger mandibular advancements (P = 0.01). However, the small sample size warrants cautious interpretation, and larger studies using standardized diagnostic criteria are needed to confirm these findings.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 2026 · DOI ↗