OBJECTIVETo evaluate the the feasibility and effectiveness of narrowing and sliding genioplasty combined with mandibular outer cortex ostectomy technique to reshape a square jaw in short face.

METHODSFrom July 2005 to October 2009, a total of 57 patients received narrowing and sliding genioplasty combined with mandibular outer cortex ostectomy procedure to correct square jaw in short face. All the patients had standard frontal and lateral cephalometric radiographs, panoramic radiographs, and were photographed preoperatively and postoperatively to assess their face contour. The alteration of mandibular angle, mental contour and width of lower face was observed for 6 to 24 months postoperatively. Questionnaires were used to assess the patients' satisfactory.

RESULTSIt showed that the postoperative lower face had narrowed and become softer, slender and oval, with a slick mental region. The final aesthetic outcomes were quite satisfactory in all cases from both the view of surgeons and patients.

CONCLUSIONSNarrowing and sliding genioplasty combined with mandibular outer cortex ostectomy procedure could efficiently adjust the shape and position of chin to obtain a good proportion of the lower face, and to change square and short face to slender oval one by single operation in accordance with the fashionable aesthetics in orientals.