Rotational Distraction for the Treatment of Severe Mandibular Retrognathia.

BACKGROUNDS: The main problem with intraoral distraction of the mandible is the inability to achieve the three-dimensional mandibular correction as planned preoperatively. We developed a technique that allows spontaneous changes in the direction of mandibular elongation using an intraoral distractor. METHODS: After mandibular osteotomy, the distractor is fixed to the distal segment of the mandible using a single bicortical screw, allowing anterior-posterior, vertical and limited lateromedial changes in the vector of distraction. Mandibular lengthening is performed while keeping the maxilla and mandible in class I occlusion with intermaxillary fixation. RESULTS: As the distraction device is activated allowing mandibular elongation, the proximal segment, guided by the surrounding soft tissues, moves and rotates posterosuperiorly. Mandibular lengthening is continued until the condylar head reaches an adequate position in the mandibular fossa as confirmed clinically and radiographically. CONCLUSION: Thirty-three patients with mandibular retrognathia received this treatment and good results were obtained.

Maxillary bone transportation in alveolar cleft-transport distraction osteogenesis for treatment of alveolar cleft repair.

Secondary autogenous cancellous bone grafting is a widely used method for the treatment of alveolar clefts and oronasal fistulae. However, failure of iliac bone grafting sometimes occurs due to inadequate covering with the surrounding soft tissue and marked scar formation, inappropriate patient age, or large clefts. For alveolar clefts, we developed a method consisting of alveolar bone transportation, closure of the alveolar cleft, and/or grafting of new bone. Transport distraction osteogenesis along the curve of the dental arch is ideal. Alveolar bone was transported in the planned direction using a ready-made bone-borne distractor in combination with an orthodontic arch wire for transport guidance. This method allows simultaneous correction of nasal septal deviation and also correction of maxillary arch deformities and malocclusion since, the dental arch is expanded without donor sacrifice. This method can be regarded as tissue engineering to expand bone tissue. This method can be safely performed not only in patients undergoing initial treatment for alveolar clefts but also in patients in whom bone grafting has failed. Since 1997, we have performed this method in 22 patients and obtained good results.