Maxillary distraction using red system : a review of 11 consecutive cases

ABSTRACT

patients who were treated with RED system.(Martin, Tuttlingen Germany). Eleven patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia who were treated between 2002 and 2007 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, are reviewed for this study. Their age at the time of surgery ranged from 7 to 22 years(mean age=15.36 years). Distraction was started at 5 days after Le Fort I or III osteotomy at a rate of 1mm per day for 10 to 20days. All patients used the Rigid External Distraction II system. After distraction was completed, a 2 to 3 months period of consolidation was undertaken. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 years. The mean amount of advancement of the maxilla was 14.2mm(A-point). Relapse, VPI, and local infection around the halo pin were the most common complications. In adult patients, the relapse of maxilla ranged from 21percent to 35percent. In the growing child, postoperative stability of the maxilla was unstable and unpredictable.