WESSBERG AND EPKER

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eight weeks following surgery. This was so despite the fact that most persons who are generally in need of a maxillary down-grafting procedure demonstrate increased physiologic interocclusal space, because they demonstrate excessive masticatory bite force. 7~9 The intraoral skeletal fixation appliance has been used to provide vertical skeletal stability when inferior repositioning of the maxilla is done, eliminating the compressive forces on the bone graft during healing and minimizing skeletal relapse. On the basis of animal models and clinical experience, we suggest that internal skeletal fixation be maintained for six to eight weeks during the immediate postoperative healing period.
Conclusion

problems. Specific recommendations are made for application of the intraoral skeletal fixation device.
References
I. Nakajima T. Sasakura J. Kato N: Screw type mouth gag for prevention and treatment of postoperative jaw limitation by fibrous tissue. J Oral Surg 38:45. 1980 2. Vladas GS: Dynamic splints for rehabilitation after surgical treatment of ankylosis. J Oral Surg 33:790. 1975 3. McNeil RW. Hooley JR, Sundberg RJ: Skeletal relapse during intermaxillary fixation. J Oral Surg 31:212. 1973 4. Schendel SA. Epker B: Results following mandibular advancement surgery: An analysis of 87 cases. J Oral Surg 38:265. 1980 5. Epker BN, Paulus P. Fish LC: Surgical-orthodontic correction of maxillary deficiency. Oral Surg 46: 171, 1978 6. McNamara JA Jr, Carlson DS: Muscle adaption in the craniofacial region. Monograph Number 8, Craniofacial Growth Series. Center for Human Growth and Development. Ann Arbor. Michigan The University of Michigan. 1978. 7. Wessberg GA. Washburn MC. Epker BN: Evaluation of mandibular rest positions in subjects with diverse dentofacial morphology. J Prosthet Dent (In Press. 1981) 8. Rinquist M: Isometric bite force and its relation to dimensions of the facial skeleton. Acta Odontol Stand 31:35, 1973 9. DiPietro GA, Moergeli JR Jr: Significance of the Frankfortmandibular plane angle to prosthodontics. J Prosthet Dent 36:624, 1976

The intraoral skeletal fixation appliance is introduced as a simple, reliable, and versatile addition to the armamentarium of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The use of this device is relatively simple and provides an esthetic, hygienic, and efficient means of managing a variety of common surgical

CORRECTIONS In the July issue, in the article Hypoxemia During Outpatient General Anesthesia, the second paragraph on p. 421 after Materials and Methods should read as follows: To document and quantitate the accuracy of the oximeter, the arterial oxygen saturation was measured in 85 hospitalized patients. The results were compared. . The first line on page 422 should read as follows: . . hypoxemia developed in only one patient. On page 423. the entire block of material beginning in the left column with To assess oxygen saturation during outpatient general anesthesia and ending at the top of the right column with results in immediate and accurate readings without recalibration. . . should be inserted on page 421 between the second and third lines of the right column.

In the September issue, in the article Submandibular Sialolithiasis in Children, it should have been stated on p. 551 that Dr. Bodner is now at the Clinical Investigation and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.