A Case Report of RED II Distraction Osteogenesis and Early Rigid Fixation by Minimal Invasive Approach Le Fort III Osteotomy in Crouzon's Disease

PURPOSE: Rigid external distraction(RED) is a highly effective technique for correction of maxillary hypoplasia in patients with cleft or syndromic craniosynostosis. Despite many advantages of RED, it also has the problem of relapse as the conventional advancement surgery. Bicoronal approach, that is the common approach to gain access to the craniofacial skeleton, had some morbidity, such as hair loss, sensory loss, wide scar and temporal hollowing. We present our clinical experience of RED distraction with minimal invasive approach and early rigid fixation to overcome these disadvantages. METHODS: A 27-year-old female patient with Crouzon's disease underwent Le Fort III osteotomy and RED device application through the minimal invasive direct skin incisions. After the latent period of 5 days, distraction was undertaken until proper convexity and advancement were obtained. During the rigid retention period, inflammation occurred on the right cheek, and proper conservative managements were done including continuous irrigation. To maintain the stability of distraction, early rigid fixation was undertaken on the osteotomy sites through another skin incisions. Preoperative and postoperative orthodontic treatments were performed. Serial photographs and cephalometric radiographs were obtained preoperatively, after distraction and 6 months after distraction. RESULTS: The cephalometric analysis demonstrated postoperatively significant advancement of the maxilla and improvement of facial convexity. After 6-month follow-up period, the maxilla was stable in the sagittal plane and no relapse was found. Facial scars were not noticeable and other deformity and morbidity did not occur. CONCLUSION: This effective and stable technique will be a good alternative for the patients who need large amount of distraction and for adult patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia or syndromic craniosynostosis.

A Case Report of RED II Distraction Osteogenesis and Early Rigid Fixation by Minimal Invasive Approach Le Fort III Osteotomy in Crouzon's Disease

PURPOSE: Rigid external distraction(RED) is a highly effective technique for correction of maxillary hypoplasia in patients with cleft or syndromic craniosynostosis. Despite many advantages of RED, it also has the problem of relapse as the conventional advancement surgery. Bicoronal approach, that is the common approach to gain access to the craniofacial skeleton, had some morbidity, such as hair loss, sensory loss, wide scar and temporal hollowing. We present our clinical experience of RED distraction with minimal invasive approach and early rigid fixation to overcome these disadvantages. METHODS: A 27-year-old female patient with Crouzon's disease underwent Le Fort III osteotomy and RED device application through the minimal invasive direct skin incisions. After the latent period of 5 days, distraction was undertaken until proper convexity and advancement were obtained. During the rigid retention period, inflammation occurred on the right cheek, and proper conservative managements were done including continuous irrigation. To maintain the stability of distraction, early rigid fixation was undertaken on the osteotomy sites through another skin incisions. Preoperative and postoperative orthodontic treatments were performed. Serial photographs and cephalometric radiographs were obtained preoperatively, after distraction and 6 months after distraction. RESULTS: The cephalometric analysis demonstrated postoperatively significant advancement of the maxilla and improvement of facial convexity. After 6-month follow-up period, the maxilla was stable in the sagittal plane and no relapse was found. Facial scars were not noticeable and other deformity and morbidity did not occur. CONCLUSION: This effective and stable technique will be a good alternative for the patients who need large amount of distraction and for adult patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia or syndromic craniosynostosis.

Internal VS. rigid external distraction device for the maxillary hypoplasia of cleft patients

Midface Advancement with Rigid External Distraction System in Crouzon's Disease

Distraction osteogenesis has become an alternative technique to treat craniomaxillofacial anomalies. It was initially used to treat mandibular dysplasia and now it is applied to other regions of the craniofacial skeleton. We now present our clinical experience of midface distraction with the use of rigid external distraction for the treatment of an 8-years-old girl with midface hypoplasia in Crouzon's disease, who had undergone fronto-orbital advancement at the age of 6. We performed midface advancement by Le Fort III osteotomy with rigid external distraction system(RED II, KLS Martin, Jacksonville, FL). The active distraction was initiated on the 3rd postoperative day and was continued until the 20th postoperative day for 18 days. The rate of distraction can be adjusted during this time according to clinical judgment and cephalometric assessment. On completion of distraction, the RED II was left in place without activation for 25 days for rigid retention. The RED II was then removed and an orthodontic facemask was applied with elastic traction for 6wks. The total amount of distraction was 18.5mm, 28.5mm, 10.5mm, 14.5mm at right inferior orbital rim, left inferior orbital rim, right intraoral, left intraoral area respectively. The photography, cephalometry, and 3D CT(3 dimensional computed tomography) show that facial convexity was improved. We could correct midface deficiency successfully by LeFort III osteotomy and rigid external distraction.