Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
[Surgical correction of craniofacial dysostosis with midface distraction osteogenesis]
Xiong-Zheng Mu1, Zhe-Yuan Yu, Min Wei
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China. craniomu@gmail.com
Objective:
To investigate the effect of distraction osteogenesis on correction of craniofacial dysostosis.
Methods:
Le Fort III osteotomy was applied through coronal route on patients with craniofacial dysostosis such as Crouzon and Apert syndrome. The procedures included disconnecting the skeletal midface from base of cranium, setting up a RED II distraction device, and directing the device bars. The distraction was started 5 days after the surgery, with a rate of 1 mm forward per day. When midface approaching the right position, i.e. a slightly over correction of occlusion was reached, stopped distraction and kept the device for 2 - 4 months.
Results:
Eight cases completed all the therapy. The average blood lose was 300 ml and the average operation time was 3.5 hours. The midface had been moved averagely 9 mm forwardly and 1.5 mm downwards. The features had been improved obviously and the occlusion reached nearly normal. No serious complications occurred except for 1 case of seroma and 1 case of infection around pin on scalp. No recurrence was found in the 5 months of follow-up.
Conclusions:
Midface distraction osteogenesis is propitious to teenage or severe cases of craniofacial dysostosis.
