[Mandibular elongation and remodeling by gradual distraction. An experience of 277 cases].

Distraction osteogenesis at the craniofacial skeleton offers superior results than using standard osteotomies and other surgical techniques when treating mandibular hypoplasia. After ten years, we have performed 221 patients with hemifacial microsomia and 56 patients with micrognathia using external mandibular distraction. For every single patient the distraction vector is different according to the degree of bone hypoplasia. The bone elongation ranged from 12 to 49 mm, and the results were excellent: facial symmetry was reestablished, the menton became horizontal and the long term result controls shows stability clinically and occlusally.