Principles of the BSSO – Clinical Aspects

The bilateral splitting osteotomy—BSSO—according to Obwegeser–Dal Pont has become the standard therapy worldwide for cutting the mandible in all forms of mandibular positional correction (Obwegeser Dtsch Zahn Mund Kieferheilk 23:1, 1955; DalPont Minerva chir 1, 1958). The success of this technique depends on anatomical conditions, but also on the technically correct execution. An exact analysis of the local conditions intraoperatively, but also the choice of instruments plays a role. The main goal of the step-shaped sagittal splitting of the lower jaw with intraoral access was on the one hand to reduce the complication rate of previous techniques using extraoral approaches, on the other hand to eliminate the problem of insufficient contact surfaces of the osteotomized bone segments and a reduction in the risk of inferior alveolar nerve damage.