A novel modular retention system for midfacial distraction osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis of the midface offers new possibilities for the treatment of large sagittal discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws. The use of an extraoral halo-borne distractor, which allows free three-dimensional vector control, may cause problems in the connection between the midface and the distractor. To overcome these difficulties, we present a new modular retention system to gain bone anchorage whenever a toothborne appliance is not suitable. Distraction osteogenesis with an extraoral appliance is therefore possible even in edentulous elderly patients. We have used this system successfully in 11 patients.     

Cranial growth after distraction osteogenesis of the craniosynostosis

The authors describe the continuance of the growth of the distracted cranium after the reshaping of the cranium by distraction osteogenesis (DO) in children with simple symmetric and asymmetric craniosynostosis.From 2000 until 2002, 9 children with simple craniosynostosis underwent cranial reshaping by gradual distraction using an external distraction device. Four patients have symmetric deformities caused by bicoronal and sagittal craniosynostosis, and 5 patients have asymmetric deformities caused by unicoronal and unilambdoidal craniosynostosis. The distraction device was developed and applied by the author. Preoperative simulation surgery was done on the three-dimensional rapid prototyped model and on the three-dimensional computerized tomography scan to determine the favorable osteotomy line. The distraction rate was from 1 to 1.5 mm/d, and the latency period was from 1 to 5 days. The extent of distraction was determined on the basis of the results of simulation surgery and the change of external appearance. Evaluation of the growth of reshaped cranium was processed from the data of the reconstructed three-dimensional computerized tomography scans before operation, immediate end of distraction, and the last follow-up time. The anteroposterior length and bitemporal width were measured in symmetric synostosis cases, and the distance from supratrochlear notch to occiput was measured in asymmetric synostosis cases.The results showed that the immediate morphologic changes of cranium after DO were maintained in both symmetric and asymmetric synostosis up to the last follow-up without evidence of relapse. Cases of asymmetric deformity also showed that the affected side and the unaffected side had grown with the maintenance of the symmetry that was corrected at the immediate end of the distraction.The cranium modified by the DO was well maintained with the children's growth without any signs of recurrent restricted growth of the original disease. The corrected symmetry of asymmetric deformity was well maintained during a long-term follow-up period as well.     

Complications associated with gradual cranial vault distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of craniofacial synostosis

Distraction osteogenesis has become a standard technique for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction. The authors performed gradual cranial vault distraction osteogenesis in 19 patients with craniosynostosis to study the outcome and complications of this procedure. Postoperative infections developed around the shaft puncture wounds in four patients, including one who required surgical removal of the device. Advanced bone was deformed in one patient. In another, the expansion device was exposed, resulting in a postoperative scar. Despite these complications, the cranium was successfully expanded in all patients.     

Fronto-facial monobloc distraction in syndromic craniosynostosis. Three-dimensional evaluation of treatment outcome and facial growth

The objectives of this study were to investigate the treatment effect and stability of fronto-facial monobloc distraction osteogenesis. Five consecutive patients who underwent monobloc distraction were included (aged 4.8-18.4 years). Three patients had Crouzon syndrome, one had Apert syndrome, and one had Pfeiffer syndrome. The evaluation included clinical records, serial cephalograms for at least 1-year follow up (average 24.6 months). The treatment and post-treatment changes were measured. The intracranial volume, upper airway volume and globe protrusion were calculated from CT before and after treatment. After distraction, the supraorbital region was advanced 15.3mm forward, the midface demonstrated forward advancement of 17.7 mm, 22.1mm and 23.1mm at orbitale, anterior nasal spine and A point, respectively. The downward movement was 2-3mm at maxillary level. The intracranial volume increased 11%; the upper airway volume increased 85% on average. Globe protrusion reduced 3.7 mm on average, which was 20% of underlying skeletal movement. Facial growth demonstrated forward remodelling of the supraorbital region, mild downward but no further forward growth of the midface. Monobloc distraction is effective for relieving related symptoms and signs through differential external distraction at different vertical levels of the face.     

A new method for vector control during alveolar distraction osteogenesis: a case report

We report a case of dentoalveolar rehabilitation employing the technique of alveolar distraction osteogenesis in a 25-year-old male patient with a right posterior mandibular defect that was a result of previous tooth extractions and consequent severe loss of alveolar bone. A new method for vector control during alveolar distraction osteogenesis was used. This method consisted of placing an orthodontic wire on an immediately loaded implant (in the right third molar position) and securing it by means of resin composite to the implant and the adjacent tooth. Implant positioning and soft tissue management were performed successfully. The described treatment strategy appears to have good potential for providing an ideal final position of the regenerated bone in cases where major tissue defects exist in the posterior mandible.     

The role of distraction osteogenesis in the management of craniofacial syndromes

In patients with craniofacial syndromes, the skeletal discrepancy is often severe, and the ability to achieve the desired movement by immediate surgical repositioning is difficult because of restrictions of the soft-tissue envelope. The technique of distraction osteogenesis has provided an additional option for managing congenital and acquired craniofacial deformities. The use of distraction osteogenesis is, however, still within its infancy as a treatment modality. It is unlikely that the procedure will obviate the need for definitive orthognathic surgery at skeletal maturity in most patients with craniofacial anomalies. The role of distraction osteogenesis in craniofacial surgery will continue to evolve rapidly with increasing experience and technological advancement. Because distraction osteogenesis in the facial skeleton is a relatively new approach, analysis of the contemporary literature is imperative, and future long-term studies on the effects and outcome of distraction are essential.     

Biomechanical and clinical implications of distraction osteogenesis in craniofacial surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Craniofacial distraction osteogenesis is an established surgical procedure to correct bony malformations. Force transduction through the osteotomized bone fragments elicits defined biological responses in the gap tissue, which determines the clinical success of the distraction treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate clinically a new distraction protocol based on an analysis of the biological and biomechanical parameters executing direct effects on bone regeneration during distraction. STUDY DESIGN: A multistep distraction protocol was used in 39 patients and the clinical outcome was monitored postoperatively. RESULTS: All the distraction cases were successful with a single exception. Segmental displacements were stable clinically and radiologically. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the clinical success of distraction osteogenesis, individual treatment protocols are recommended.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的正颌外科及牵引成骨治疗

睡眠呼吸障碍疾病(sleep-related breathing disorders,SRBD)是一类常见、多发疾病,其主要临床表现为：睡眠打鼾、憋气、晨起头痛和疲乏、白日嗜睡、记忆力减退、注意力难以集中以及性功能障碍等。睡眠呼吸障碍多由上呼吸道狭窄、阻塞所致,频繁出现的睡眠低氧是其病理生理基础,不及时治疗将造成严重的后果。阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome,     

Clinical application of injectable calcium sulfate on early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of craniofacial microsomia

The purpose of this project was to study the effect of calcium sulfate on early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis. A total of eight patients with craniofacial microsomia were treated between April 2000 and February 2001. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 40 years, and all were male. The follow-up period was 1 to 15 months. The operative procedure in adults was based on Ortiz Monasterio's simultaneous mandibular and maxillary distraction technique. In children, osteotomy of the mandible was performed for distraction. On the fifth day after the operation, distraction was performed at a rate of 1 mm/d in three adults. In children, distraction was performed at a rate of 1 mm/d in one patient and 2 mm/d in four patients without a latent period. On the day of completion of distraction, calcium sulfate was implanted into the distracted zone. Radiographs showed bony consolidation at 4 weeks in one child at a rate of 1 mm/d, at 5 to 7 weeks in four children at a rate of 2 mm/d, and at 5 weeks in three adults after implantation of the calcium sulfate. In conclusion, these findings suggest that calcium sulfate is effective for early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis and that it would shorten the whole treatment period.     

A distraction abutment system for 3-dimensional distraction osteogenesis of the alveolar process: technical note

To date, distraction osteogenesis has been carried out exclusively with devices that allow distraction in one given direction only. However, the new distraction abutment system described in this article allows distraction in any functionally or esthetically desired direction following osseointegration of 1 or several implants, provided that there are adjacent teeth or other osseointegrated implants. With this abutment system, an implant fixed in a position dictated by available bone volume can be moved into a prosthetically desirable position following segmental osteotomy. Accordingly, it also allows correction of the position of implants that were placed at an early age but whose position has changed as the result of jaw growth. Compared with conventional augmentation techniques carried out before or after implant placement, this method should lead not only to a shorter overall treatment time, but also to reduced strain on the patient and better long-term prognosis for success of implants.     

Distraction osteogenesis in the surgical management of syndromic craniosynostosis: a comprehensive review of published papers

Our aim was to summarise current published evidence about the prognosis of various techniques of craniofacial distraction osteogenesis, particularly its indications, protocols, and complications. Published papers were acquired from online sources using the keywords “distraction osteogenesis”, “Le Fort III”, “monobloc”, and “syndromic craniosynostosis” in combination with other keywords, such as “craniofacial deformity” and “midface”. The search was confined to publications in English, and we followed the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. We found that deformity of the skull resulted mainly from Crouzon syndrome. Recently craniofacial distraction has been achieved by monobloc distraction osteogenesis using an external distraction device during childhood, while Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis was used in maturity. Craniofacial distraction was indicated primarily to correct increased intracranial pressure, exorbitism, and obstructive sleep apnoea in childhood, while midface hypoplasia was the main indication in maturity. Overall the most commonly reported complications were minor inflammatory reactions around the pins, and anticlockwise rotation when using external distraction systems. The mean amount of bony advancement was 12.3 mm for an external device, 18.6 mm for an internal device and 18.7 mm when both external and internal devices were used. Treatment by craniofacial distraction must be validated by long-term studies as there adequate data are lacking, particularly about structural relapse and the assessment of function.     

The craniofacial phenotype of the Crouzon mouse: analysis of a model for syndromic craniosynostosis using three-dimensional MicroCT.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the craniofacial phenotype of a mouse model for Crouzon syndrome by a quantitative analysis of skull morphology in mutant and wild-type mice and to compare the findings with skull features observed in humans with Crouzon syndrome. METHODS: MicroCT scans and skeletal preparations were obtained on previously described Fgfr2(C342Y/+) Crouzon mutant mice and wild-type mice at 6 weeks of age. Three-dimensional coordinate data from biologically relevant landmarks on the skulls were collected. Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis was used to quantify and compare skull shapes using these landmark data. RESULTS: Obliteration of bilateral coronal sutures was observed in 80% of skulls, and complete synostosis of the sagittal suture was observed in 70%. In contrast, fewer than 40% of lambdoid sutures were found to be fully fused. In each of the 10 Fgfr2(C342Y/+) mutant mice analyzed, the presphenoid-basisphenoid synchondrosis was fused. Skull height and width were increased in mutant mice, whereas skull length was decreased. Interorbital distance was also increased in Fgfr2(C342Y/+) mice as compared with wild-type littermates. Upper-jaw length was shorter in the Fgfr2(C342Y/+) mutant skulls, as was mandibular length. CONCLUSION: Skulls of Fgfr2(C342Y/+) mice differ from normal littermates in a comparable manner with differences between the skulls of humans with Crouzon syndrome and those of unaffected individuals. These findings were consistent across several regions of anatomic interest. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anomalies seen in the Crouzon mouse model is currently under way.     

两、三焦点牵张成骨在下颌骨缺损修复中的应用

目的：通过两焦点、三焦点对山羊下颌骨缺损进行牵张,比较两种牵张成骨方式的新骨成骨量。方法：将8只成年山羊随机分成两组,每组4只,分别采用两焦点和三焦点牵张成骨术进行骨缺损修复。牵张结束后固定8周,处死动物取牵张区新生骨组织标本进行X线检查、组织学检查、骨密度分析。结果：两实验组牵张区新骨生长的质无明显区别,在量的比较上,三焦点组X线检查、组织学检查、骨密度测定的结果均好于两焦点组,骨密度测定分析结果有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：三焦点牵张成骨在大面积颌骨缺损的修复中新骨的成骨量好于两焦点牵张成骨组。     

两焦点与三焦点牵张成骨方式在下颌骨缺损修复中的应用

目的对山羊下颌骨缺损进行两焦点与三焦点牵张,比较两种方式的新骨成骨量。方法将8只成年山羊随机分成两组,每组4只,分别采用两焦点和三焦点牵张成骨术来进行骨缺损修复。牵张结束后固定8周后处死两组动物取牵张区新生骨组织标本进行X线、组织学、骨密度分析。结果两组牵张区均有新骨形成,质无明显区别,在量的比较上,三焦点组X线、组织学、骨密度测定的结果均优于两焦点组,骨密度测定分析结果有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论三焦点牵张成骨在大面积颌骨缺损的修复中新骨的成骨量优于两焦点牵张成骨。     

Distraction osteogenesis of the cranial vault for the treatment of craniofacial synostosis

From January 2000 to December 2001, six patients with craniosynostosis were treated. Involved sutures were coronal sutures in three patients, coronal and metopic sutures in one patient, multiple sutures (brachycephaly and oxycephaly) in one patient, and multiple sutures with a cloverleaf skull deformity in one patient. The age distribution of the patients was 4 months to 3 years. Four were male, and two were female. A frontal craniotomy was performed in four patients with brachycephaly. In one patient with brachycephaly, the osteotomies were made across the nasofrontal junction, across the roof of the orbit, and along the lateral orbital wall. In one patient with a cloverleaf skull deformity, a frontal bone osteotomy was first performed 1 cm above the roof of the orbit. A supraorbital frontal bar was then made across the nasofrontal junction, across the roof of the orbit, and down to the lateral orbital wall. The frontal bone flap was repositioned to the supraorbital bar using absorbable miniplates and screws. Distraction was started 3 to 7 days after the operation at a distraction rate of 1 mm/d. The real duration of the first operation was 90 to 120 minutes, and the second operation to remove the device took 40 to 50 minutes to perform. The distracted length was 15 to 25 mm. The consolidation period was 3 to 5 weeks. The follow-up period was 6 months to 1 year. Postoperative three-dimensional computed tomography demonstrated reossification at the bone flap and advancement of the fronto-orbital area. After surgery, the cranial volume increased 22.7% on average compared with before surgery. The mean ratio of the anteroposterior length to the transverse length of the cranial vault was changed from 0.96 before surgery to 1.04 after surgery. In conclusion, the advantages of distraction osteogenesis of the cranial vault are that it offers a less invasive technique, a shorter operation time, easy care, and postoperative safety as a result of minimal dissection of the dura. Disadvantages are the limited possibility of initial reshaping and the necessity of one more operation for device removal.