Surgical treatment of maxillofacial deformity has become prevalent since the latter half of the last century. An array of surgeons have contributed to this field and developed new techniques. Before 1965, most of the procedures done on the mandible were extra oral. But the pioneering and challenging work by Kole, Walker, Obwegeser and others helped to develop intraoral techniques for the treatment of mandibular procedures. Basic surgical principles are applicable to orthognathic surgery and they are to be adhering to strictly. Any change in the appearance of the face is not easily accepted either by the patient or by the kith and kin, whether it is good or bad. Postoperative sequelae like swelling, pain and restricted movements can have a negative effect on the patient. The patient and the relatives are to be cautioned about the post operative sequelae and the possible complications. Bone heals by repair and regeneration. This quality of the bone is favourable for osteotomy. Maxillofacial bones have a better blood supply than the bones in the rest of the body. So the healing is faster. The basic principle is to cut the bone into appropriate fragments and to realign it so that the pre planned architecture is achieved.