Early Relapse of Mandibular Asymmetry During Consolidation Period in Distraction Osteogenesis

ABSTRACT

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis has gained popularity as a surgical technique for hemifacial microsomia. Although there was the general acceptance of mandibular distraction osteogenesis by surgeons, the standardization of techniques among surgeons has been limited due to short period of its history. So, many surgeons having make an effort for suggesting standard protocol, based on various clinical experiences. We found that corrected mandibular asymmetry of hemifacial microsomia by rapid distraction osteogensis has a tendency to relapse, in spite of external fixator during consolidation period. On this, we studied that which factors have influences on relapse of mandibular asymmetry during consolidation period. As a result, there were significant differences of the relapse during consolidation period in proportion to mandibular hypoplasia and the vertical distraction distance. But there was no significant difference of the relapse among the duration of the consolidation period groups. And there was significant difference of the vertical distraction distance in proportion to mandibular hypoplasia. The amount of the relapse during consolidation period has correlation with the severity of the mandibular hypoplasia. In conclusion, the severity of the mandibular hypoplasia is the important forecast index of relapse during consolidation period.