Craniofacial distraction osteogenesis

Abstract

Distraction osteogenesis represents the greatest single development in craniofacial surgery during the past 10 to 15 years. The technique appears to hold great potential in the management of a variety of craniofacial deformities. This review will cover developments in the basic sciences underlying the process of distraction osteogenesis. Studies that have emerged in the past 2 years covering applications in the mandible, midface, and upper facial skeleton and the role of distraction in managing pediatric upper airway obstruction will be presented. Results with longer follow-up periods are now appearing and authors are beginning to better define the details of preoperative planning. Finally, we will mention the new directions in which this exciting technology may head.