"Transport distraction osteogenesis for reconstruction of mandibular defects": our experience

Mandibular defects usually involve a combination of osseous and soft tissue deficiency and are among the most challenging problems in maxillofacial surgery, many options are available for mandibular reconstruction. One of the options discussed in literature recently being distraction osteogenesis.

The aims and objectives of the study were to evaluate clinically the technique of distraction osteogenesis to reconstruct mandibular defects, using indigenous transport distractors, and to evaluate the efficacy of Indigenous transport distraction osteogenesis device.

A prospective, experimental study was designed to examine the use of transport distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of defects of the mandible. Four patients with defects of the mandible were subjected to distraction osteogenesis with indigenously manufactured distraction device. The regenerate was assessed clinically and radiographically.

The results showed that the regenerate was clinically as hard as the adjacent unaffected mandible and radiologic evidence of bone regeneration was observed. The major advantage being regeneration of hard tissue and soft tissue components without the morbidity of donor site, so that functional rehabilitation of the patient is possible.

Thus from our study it is shown that transport distraction osteogenesis using indigenous distractors is a reliable yet affordable option for reconstruction of mandibular defects.