Relation between soft tissue and skeletal changes after mandibular setback surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Accurate prediction of hard and soft tissue changes is essential in orthognathic surgery. The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the relation between soft and hard tissue relocation after mandibular setback surgery. A systematic search was performed, correlation coefficients and ratios were retrieved from the eligible studies, and the risk of bias was assessed. The random effects method was used to combine data. The five eligible studies showed that sagittal changes in pogonion, point B, and incision inferius incisalis are highly correlated with respective soft tissue movements and exhibit ratios ranging from 0.915 to 1.051. Only two studies were classified as having a moderate risk of bias. Although the characteristics of the included data limit the formation of definite conclusions, the soft to hard tissue movement ratios produced constitute initial clinically relevant guidance. Further long-term standardized and well-conducted trials are needed.