Mandibular lengthening in a juvenile camel by distraction osteogenesis

A three-year old bactrian camel was surgically treated by means of distract ion osteogenesis for the correction of a severe mandibular brachygnathia. T he mandible was osteotomized in two fragments at the diastema. An external fixator frame, composed of five 1/3rd rings connected by three connecting b ars and two transporting rods, was used to achieve stability and optimize s equential fragment distraction during bone healing. After a period of four months, adequate healing had occurred and 35 mm of new bone had formed. Alt hough a significant lengthening was accomplished, the final result was not optimal. We describe the technique used and discuss the suitability and lim itations of this technique for its use in large animals.