[Ilizarov bone lengthening for treatment of mandibular micrognathism in childhood]

Uni- or bilateral mandibular micrognathia could be congenital or acquired. In case of missing early correction of the lower jaw the midface will become malformed adaptively. Previous therapeutic strategies based on orthodontic measures and/or the use of costochondral grafts. However, especially the surgical treatment is often impossible in little children. In this report three cases of mandibular bone lengthening are presented. This less invasive but most effective surgical technique, which bases on Ilizarov's method originally, is an encouraging alternative procedure.