Osteotomy
Pronunciation: os-tee-OT-oh-mee
The deliberate surgical cutting of bone to reposition, reshape, or correct deformity; a foundational procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Full Definition
An osteotomy is the planned surgical division of bone using saws, burrs, chisels, or ultrasonic instruments to allow movement, reshaping, or removal of a bony segment. In oral and maxillofacial surgery, osteotomies are central to orthognathic surgery (e.g., Le Fort I, sagittal split), genioplasty, dentoalveolar surgery, and tumour resection. Editors must distinguish 'osteotomy' (cutting of bone) from 'osteectomy' (removal of bone) and 'ostectomy' (a rarely used synonym for osteectomy). Procedure names incorporating 'osteotomy' (e.g., 'Le Fort I osteotomy') should always be verified for correct numeral and eponym formatting.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with 'osteectomy' (removal of bone). In procedure titles such as 'Le Fort I osteotomy', verify numeral and capitalisation formatting against the journal or institutional style guide.
In Context
- "The surgical plan documented a Lefort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement of 4 mm and a genioplasty for chin augmentation." — Surgical Treatment Plan
- "The editor queried whether the author meant 'osteotomy' (bone cutting) or 'osteectomy' (bone removal) in the context of the mandibular tori reduction procedure." — Operative Report Review