[Management of maxillary deficiency through distraction osteogenesis. Report of 14 cases]

Maxillary protraction using elastics has been used routinely in patients with maxillary hypoplasia. Internal devices with bone anchorage allows more control of the distracted callus and more predictable results. The use of distraction splints with internal distractors simultaneously provides more accuracy in maxillary hypoplasia treatment. Three techniques using internal maxillary distractors and distraction splints are exposed for treatment of severe or partial maxillary hypoplasia. Fourteen patients have been treated from 1996 january 1 to 2000 june 30: twelve with a severe maxillary hypoplasia, two with a partial hypoplasia, among them eight in childhood or adolescence. The functionnal and aesthetic results have been satisfactory in all cases. Vertical maxillary hypoplasia treated by internal distractors techniques provides better results than traditionals inlay grafted Lefort I osteotomies. Segmental distractions can also be used in combination with classic orthognatic surgery.