Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
A Mouse Distraction Osteogenesis Model
Published on: November 14, 2018
Changes in speech following unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in patients with hemifacial microsomia
T W Guyette1, J W Polley, A Figueroa
1Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University and The Craniofacial Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to describe changes in articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function following mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
Design:
This is a descriptive, post hoc study comparing the performance of patients on measures of articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function before and after mandibular distraction.
Setting:
The data were collected at a tertiary health care center located in Chicago.
Patients:
The clinical data from preoperative and postoperative evaluations of seven mandibular distraction patients were used.
Outcome Measures:
The outcome measures were number of articulation errors, severity of hypernasality and audible nasal emission, and velopharyngeal orifice size as estimated using the pressure-flow technique.
Results:
Immediately after distraction, 28% (2/7) experienced a temporary deterioration in articulation and 42% (3/7) experienced a deterioration in nasal resonance. But by the long-term follow-up evaluation, all had returned to their preoperative levels. Pressure-flow test results generally support the perceptual findings.
Conclusions:
Patients being considered for mandibular distraction surgery should receive preoperative and postoperative speech evaluations and be counseled about risks for changes in their speech following surgery.
