Mentoplasty or genioplasty is a simple procedure used to alter chin position. While usually considered simple, it can greatly affect facial aesthetics and therefore its technical details and difficulties should not be minimized [1–3].
Some aspects can make the procedure particularly difficult: Dense bone to perform osteotomies, branches of the inferior alveolar nerve that can be injured during surgery, and the difficulty to perform a symmetrical osteotomy. Also, the repositioning of the osteotomized segment may pose a challenge, since it can be relocated in the three planes of the space, particularly when asymmetric movements are necessary. To overcome such difficulties, surgical guides present as a useful tool, but usually requires a larger incision and dissection [4–6].
“Minimally Invasive Surgery” (MIS) and “Fast-track Protocols” has gained popularity in several medical specialties, including Maxillofacial Surgery. In the orthognathic field, a minimally invasive approach includes modified osteotomies, reduced incisions, and specific bone fixation, allowing for a faster procedure and reduced recovery time [7–9].
Under such philosophy, difficulties of genioplasty are greatly improved due to a reduced surgical access, which limits adequate visualization and forbids the use of the standard genioplasty guides. The aim of this article is to present a design modification that allows the use of surgical drilling and cutting guides while maintaining MIS principles.