title: [Reconstruction of segmental mandibular defect of canine using titanium-nickel distractor].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a continuous and automatic distraction osteogenesis technique in reconstruction of segmental mandibular defect by using embedded titanium-nickel alloy distractor with characteristics of shape-memory and super-elasticity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult hybrid canines were used as the animal model. Segmental defects of 1-3 cm in the body of mandible were created by surgical osteotomy. Bi-focal distraction osteogenesis was applied using embedded titanium-nickel distractor designed by the authors. The canines were sacrificed 3 months after the operation and the mandibles were harvested to examine the results of bone regeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histocompatibility of titanium-nickel distractors was good. Distraction osteogenesis was completed automatically and the defects were elementarily restored. Radiological and histological examination showed well bone regeneration in distraction area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distraction osteogenesis using embedded self-loading titanium-nickel distractor could be a hopeful and useful technique. It might help to solve the problems of functional mandibular reconstruction in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Hong-zhi
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong-chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Hong-xi
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D009532:Nickel; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium