Abstract: Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined orthognathic surgeries and guiding templates and splints fabricated by rapid prototyping technique in the correction of facial asymmetry associated with vertical maxillary excess and mandibular prognathism. Methods 14 patients underwent a maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy, a sagittal split ramus osteotomy on the shorter side of the face, and an intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy on the longer side of the face with the aid of guiding templates and splints fabricated by rapid prototyping technique. Parameters including maxillary canting, ramal inclination, mandibular deviation, and chin inclination were measured before surgery, 7 days after surgery, and 1 year after surgery, and data were compared. Results Facial asymmetry was corrected in all patients with satisfactory outcomes. There were significant differences in these parameters between the two sides preoperatively (P<0.05), whereas no differences were observed postoperatively (P>0.05). Conclusion Guiding templates and splints can help to improve the accuracy and predictability over traditional procedures for the correction of facial asymmetry associated with vertical maxillary excess and mandibular prognathism.

Key words: facial asymmetry, mandibular prognathism, orthognathic surgery, rapid prototyping, vertical maxillary excess