title: Vertical distraction osteogenesis of fibula transplants for mandibular reconstruction--a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When reconstructing the mandible after tumour resection with a fibular graft, the mandible is often vertically deficient, making placement of dental implants impossible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Segmental vertical distraction of the reconstructed mandible was performed in nine patients following tumour surgery between February 1998 and 2001. Their age was 14-65 years (average 46.3); all underwent radiotherapy with a dose of up to 55.6 Gy prior to tumour resection. Mandibular discontinuity was repaired with a microvascular fibular bone graft. All grafts had a vertical bone deficit ranging from 9 to 12 mm when compared with the non-resected part of the mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent segmental vertical distraction of the transplants. The distraction devices were applied intraorally. Distraction of 1.0 mm/day was performed using a Martin distractor (TRACK 1.5) followed by 12 weeks retention time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The increase of vertical bone height was stable and enabled placement of dental implants without any complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vertical distraction osteogenesis may become a common procedure in the treatment of alveolar ridge deficiency resulting from transplanting fibulae for mandibular reconstruction following tumour surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klesper
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siessegger
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hidding
authors.forename: Joachim E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Zöller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014716:Vertical Dimension