[Analysis of the complications following mandibular distraction using internal distractors].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the causes and the prophylactic for the complications following mandibular distraction osteogenesis using internal distractors.


METHODS
From 1997 to 2004, a total of 46 patients (61 sides) suffering from malformations or defects of mandible who underwent mandibular distraction osteogenesis were analyzed. The diseases included hemifacial microsomia in 27 cases, congenital or acquired mandibular hypoplasia and micrognathia bilateral in 8 cases and unilateral in 4 cases, electronical injury or postoperative mandibular defects in 3 cases, Treacher Collins syndrome in 2 cases, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 2 cases.


RESULTS
Of them, 9 patients had postoperative complications, which included 3 patients had complications associated with distractors, local infection occurred in 2 cases, apertognathia of anterior teeth in 2 case, 2 patients had sinus of the skin of the lower lip. 9 patients had been aggressivly managed and obtained satisfactory results.


CONCLUSIONS
The pivotal points to reduce complications are to understand the mechanism of mandibular distraction osteogenesis completely, and to be familiar with the anatomy of mandible and adjacent tissues. It is necessary to treat with it preoperatively and postoperatively.
Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100041, China.
Guo-ping
GP
Wu
Li
L
Teng
Lai
L
Gui
Xiao-mei
XM
Sun
Zhi-yong
ZY
Zhang
Jian-feng
JF
Liu
Bing
B
Yu
De-lin
DL
Xia
Jin-chao
JC
Luo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult