title: [Application of distraction osteogenesis in functional mandibular reconstruction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the application of distraction osteogenesis in mandibular functional reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three kinds of mandibular distractors were used in 6 cases who had different mandibular defects because of tumor resection. For two cases with defect of most part of ramus specially desinged distractors were used in order to keep the normal height of the ramus. In one case the trifoci distraction principles were used and a trifoci distractor was desinged. In three cases the vertical distractors made in Germany or China respectively were used. The average age of 6 patients was 31.5 years old (from 8 to 54).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibular lengthenings in 5 cases were fully successful according to the direction and distance desinged before distraction. In one case the trifoci distraction principle was applied and a proximal 23 mm mandibular defect was corrected successfully, however, the 23 mm distal mandibular defect had not corrected because the screws for fixation of the transport block was loosened. No infection and dysosteogenesis were happened in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distraction osteogenesis can successfully be used in mandibular functional reconstruction and has much more advantages than traditional techniques. The most favorable time for distraction osteogenesis in mandibular reconstruction is at the same stage of tumor resection.
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010027:Osteotomy