[Distraction osteogenesis as treatment for craniofacial deformities].

Distraction osteogenesis is a surgical technique for treating different craniofacial deformities. The sophisticated clinical expression of craniosynosotosis in the face, as well as in the skull can be corrected using different osteotomies, in which we can include the frontal bone, orbits, the malar bones and the maxillae. Once the osteotomy has been completed, we can use the distraction devices to achieve the planned bone advancement. This procedure can be also performed with endoscopic techniques producing less morbidity, with minimal complications, simultaneously producing a highly satisfactory correction of the frontal deformity, the exorbitismus, the malar and the mid-face retrusion in these patients. As the distraction procedure is gradual, soft tissues resistance against the advancement can be easily superated achieving larger antero-posterior bone advancement that can vary between 16 to 32 mm in the frontal area and between 9 to 16 mm in the maxillae. The new position of the bones are maintained in place for new bone formation areas over the osteotomy lines. The aesthetic and functional changes after the procedure have been highly satisfactory in these patients.