Experimental study of distraction osteogenesis in the maxillofacial region

A cylindrical incision was made in the calvarial bone of mongrel dogs. Using a distraction device that used bone-connecting implants as supports, vertical distraction osteogenesis of calvarial bone was performed. Calvarial bone was distracted vertically at a speed of 0.5 mm per day, making enlargement of the cranium possible. The gap that resulted from distraction was closed with newly formed bone. The implants made a solid connection with no oscillation or dislodgment from the external pressure used for distraction. Our results show that vertical distraction of thin calvarial bone can be done using osseointegrated implants as supports. This indicates the possibility of broadening the applications of this method to plastic correction of craniomaxillofacial bone.