[Distraction osteogenesis of the maxilla in cleft patients. Worth considering]

Three cleft patients were treated with RED-distraction for maxillary hypoplasia. In all patients, the desired advancement could be achieved easily. The occlusion, the lip relation and the facial profile improved remarkably post treatment. Although the treatment was well tolerated by the patients, some limitations of the treatment were also noted, such as a nasal speech and discomfort by the head frame. Distraction osteogenesis in the maxilla has several advantages when compared to the conventional Le Fort 1-osteotomy: atraumatic advancement of the maxilla, absence of need for an autogeneous bone transplant, and applicability at relatively young age. The advantages and disadvantages of distraction osteogenesis must be considered for each individual patient.