抄録
Recently, there have been remarkable developments in the treatment of jaw deformities. Nowadays, surgical correction of jaw deformities is performed at maxillo-facial surgery clinics throughout Japan.
This paper discusses the history of surgical treatment for correction of jaw deformities in Japan. It also discusses the rationale behind the author's introduction of the sagittal splitting method of the mandibular rami for treatment of mandibular prognathism, and reports the results of the first and second cases treated using this method in 1969. Then, it discusses various methods used by the author in orthognathic surgery. As a historical background, the development by Prof. Hugo L. Obwegeser of sagittal splitting of the mandibular rami and LeFort I osteotomy, which are among the most important procedures in orthognathic surgery, are introduced. The factors that have influenced the development of the treatment of jaw deformities in Japan are considered, and finally the challenges involved in the treatment of jaw deformities are discussed.
