The anatomical basis for mandibulotomy: midline versus paramidline.

Abstract

To provide an anatomical basis for mandibulotomy. Prospective. The angles between the long axis of the two mandibular central incisors and between the lateral incisor and canine and the corresponding root length were measured in panoramic films of 50 Taiwanese patients who had oral or oropharyngeal carcinomas. The angle and horizontal distance between the mandibular lateral incisor and canine were significantly wider than between the two central incisors. The root length of the canine measured 16 mm on average. Paramidline mandibulotomy, which cuts through a wider space between the lateral incisor and canine, preserves dentition and the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles. It appears to be a more preferable approach than midline mandibulotomy.