DISTRACTION OSTEOGENESIS IN MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY USING INTERNAL DEVICES - REVIEW OF 5 CASES

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to show the feasibility and pot ential advantages of using internal devices for distraction osteogenes is in the management of maxillofacial skeletal deficiencies. Patients and Methods: Distraction osteogenesis was used to correct a variety of maxillofacial skeletal deformities in five patients, One patient unde rwent bilateral Le Fort III advancement aided by distraction, three pa tients underwent mandibular ramus lengthening, and one patient underwe nt segmental alveolar reconstruction by distraction, The devices were activated by either a transcutaneous or transmucosal pin, After achiev ement of the desired skeletal transport, the activating pins were dise ngaged and removed from the distraction device, This allowed the distr action device to remain submerged and to stabilize the site of the con solidating bone. Results: All patients achieved lengthening of their j aws, However, premature consolidation was noted in two patients, and o ne patient had significant relapse. Conclusions: Development of intern al distraction devices is important to address the limitations of curr ently available biphasic systems, Potential benefits of internal devic es include 1) elimination of skin scarring caused by translation of tr anscutaneous fixation pins, 2) improved patient compliance during the fixation or consolidation phase because there is no external component , and 3) improved stability of the attachment of the device to the bon e.