Baseline characteristics, outcome measures and costs after 8 weeks and 2 years for ITT-analysis.

*Percentages (%) on total Intention-To-Treat group of 230 patients: 113 patients in the titanium group, and 117 patients in the biodegradable group. The outcome data of bone healing and plate/screws removal for the inclusion errors was ‘imputed’ as adequate bone healing and no plate/screws removal, according to the strategies of the Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane-net.org). The switches were assessed as failures for bone healing. The lost-to-follow-up patients were contacted by telephone, and were asked if their plate/screws had been removed during the lost-to-follow-up period. We also viewed their (digital) records. If the records showed no plate/screws removal, no matter if they could be reached by telephone, these patients were ‘scored’ as ‘no plate/screws removal’. The same was done for bone healing. Bone healing was tested one-sided. All the other outcome measures in Table 2 were tested two-tailed.
†What has actually been invested. This does not correspond to the agreements on costs between hospitals and health insurers. The costs given at ‘2 Years’ include the costs after ‘8 Weeks’. Viewing the records of the lost-to-follow-up patients did not reveal additional costs in their lost-to-follow-up period.
Abbreviations: BSSO = bilateral-sagittal-split osteotomy, h:m = hours:minutes, ITT-analysis = Intention-To-Treat analysis, MFIQ = Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (range 17–85), n = number, NA = not applicable, s.d. = standard deviation, VAS = Visual Analogue Scale (range 1–100).
Baseline characteristics, outcome measures and costs after 8 weeks and 2 years for ITT-analysis.