Long-term results of distraction osteogenesis of the maxilla and midface

Since the beginning of 1998, eight patients have been treated by osteodistraction to correct hypoplasia of the maxilla and midface of various origins. Among them were five patients who were treated by high LeFort I osteotomies and insertion of subcutaneous intraoral distraction devices in the malar region. In the remaining three patients, extraoral distraction devices were applied after LeFort II and III osteotomies. Distraction osteogenesis was successful in all cases, resulting in a mean sagittal bone gain measured parallel to the skull base of 9.0 mm (range 4.5–12.0) in the group treated with intraoral distractors and a mean of 20.3 mm in the extraoral distraction group (range 15.0–25.0). All patients were kept under orthodontic supervision before, during, and after osteodistraction. Long-term cephalometric and clinical evaluation after a mean follow-up period of 24 months in the intraoral distraction group (range 22–26) and 12 months in the extraoral distraction group (range 10–14) show stable results concerning the skeletal and dental relations. Long-term follow-up is necessary.