RESUMO
Objective@#To explore how to select osteotomy line and its significance in mandibular distraction osteogenesis in infants and young children.@*Methods@#From May 2013 to July 2018, 208 infants and young children with mandibular deformity were admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center, including 131 males and 77 females, with the age range of 8 days to 4 years, mean age of 6 months. Their clinical records were retrospectively analyzed. There were 162 cases of Robin sequence, 37 cases of the first and branchial arch anomalies, 2 cases of Treacher-Collins syndrome, and 7 cases of other congenital malformations. During the distraction osteogenesis, different osteotomy lines were selected according to the characteristics of the mandibular deformity: (1) For short mandibular body, the straight osteotomy line was used to extend the mandibular body. (2) For short mandibular ramus, a polygonal osteotomy line was used to extend the ramus. (3) For the increased mandibular angle, a curved osteotomy line was used to change the angulation.@*Results@#Linear osteotomy was used in 38 patients, polygonal line osteotomy were used in 129 patients, and curved osteotomy was performed in 41 patients. Among them, 4 patients with linear osteotomy had deciduous embryo injury, 6 patients with linear osteotomy and 2 patients with polygonal osteotomy had open occlusion, and patients with curved osteotomy did not have tooth and mandible damage, or malocclusion. All patients were followed up for 3 months to 5 years. The average follow-up time was 6.2 months. All osteotomy healed well, without osteonecrosis or nonunion.@*Conclusions@#For the mandibular distraction osteogenesis, osteotomy line could be individualized, according to the characteristics of mandibular deformity of infants and young children, which can reduce complications such as dental damage and open occlusion.