Skeletal distraction of the hypoplastic mandible

Six patients underwent percutaneous pin placement, 17 intraoral corticotomies, and application of an Orthofix lengthening device to facilitate complex multiplanar distraction as mandated by the patient's specific deformity. The patients underwent gradual bony and soft-tissue distraction at the rate of .25 mm four times a day. Average distraction was 18.3 +/- 5.5 mm (mean +/- SD). After distraction, a 2-day period of stabilization for each 1 mm of lengthening was used (36.4 +/- 10.7 days) (M +/- SD). All the patients had marked improvement in their occlusion postoperatively and significant amelioration of their preoperative respiratory and feeding difficulties. The patients all exhibited dramatic aesthetic improvement. Intraoral corticotomies performed in conjunction with gradual skeletal distraction appears to offer significant advantages over classical treatment for micrognathia in a very specific group of patients.