title: Mandibular lengthening by gradual distraction: analysis using accurate skull replicas.
abstract: Bone lengthening in the upper and lower extremities by gradual distraction has become an accepted procedure. We have used an extraoral device to lengthen the mandible in four patients with unilateral mandibular hypoplasia. Using an accurate skull replica, the proposed corticotomy line, intended direction of lengthening, and appropriate position for the screws were determined. Following distraction, a significant increase in the dimensions of the affected mandible was obtained in each case. In this series, accurate skull replicas proved very useful for defining the anatomy, for surgical simulation and for pre- and postoperative evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harii
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komuro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yonehara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Susami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted