Blood flow changes after sagittal split of the mandibular ramus

Blood flows to various cephalic tissues were determined by the microsphere method before and after unilateral sagittal split of the mandible in macaque monkeys. Significant blood flow decreases were found in certain bony regions of the osteotomized mandible while blood flow to the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles on the osteotomized side was significantly increased. Judicious stripping of the mucoperiosteum and pterygomasseteric sling may be an important consideration when planning the sagittal split approach to correct certain mandibular anomalies.