The ability to predict load-bearing capacity during the consolidation phase in distraction osteogenesis by non-invasive means would represent a significant advance in the management of patients undergoing such treatment. Measurements of stiffness have been suggested as a promising tool for this purpose. Although the multidimensional characteristics of bone loading in compression, bending and to...

This report assessed the bone-implant contact (BIC) and interthread bone density (BD) of 3 titanium implant interfaces retrieved from a mandible that was reconstructed with a vascularized osteocutaneous scapular graft and revised with multidirectional distraction osteogenesis before implant placement. The BICs and BDs were 86.9% and 92.8%, 67.3% and 80.6%, and 61.3% and 77.1%, respectively, for...

The mechanical features of and biologic response to using distraction osteogenesis with the circular external fixator are the unique aspects of Ilizarov's contribution that allows deformity correction and reconstruction of bone defects. We present a retrospective study of 20 patients who suffered from a variety of benign tumours for which external fixators (EF) were used to treat deformity, bon...

The sympathetic nervous system regulates bone formation and resorption under physiological conditions. However, it is still unclear how the sympathetic nerves affect stem cell migration and differentiation in bone regeneration. Distraction osteogenesis is an ideal model of bone regeneration due to its special nature as a self-engineering tissue. In this study, a rat model of mandibular distract...

The purpose of this study was to provide an objective analysis and quantify the intracranial volume change produced by cranial vault distraction osteogenesis. We recently published a technique to expand the cranial vault by distraction in symptomatic patients with findings of cephalocranial disproportion. Resolution of symptoms was documented in that publication. In this current study, we analy...

We present a case of midface distraction in a bilateral cleft lip and palate patient. The patient was a 10-year-old who underwent a high LeFort I osteotomy followed by placement of the Rigid External Distraction halo. Distraction was commenced on the fifth postoperative day at a rate of 1 to 1.5 mm per day until a total of 17 mm of maxillary advancement had been achieved. There were no complica...

Mandibular hypoplasia may present in isolation or in the context of glossoptosis and a U-shaped, incomplete cleft palate. This latter triad is referred to as Pierre Robin sequence. Deleterious effects of micrognathia that may present during infancy are due primarily to glossoptosis or posterior displacement of the tongue. This tongue base prolapse may cause varying degrees of upper airway obstr...

PURPOSE To assess the monthly rates of infection of individual pin sites in 7 patients during distraction osteogenesis. METHODS Five men and 2 women aged 15 to 35 (mean, 23) years underwent distraction osteogenesis for 8 tibias using the Ilizarov ring external fixator or Taylor Spatial Frame. Patients were taught to perform standard daily pin site care at home, and were evaluated monthly for ...