title: Modified bimaxillary distraction osteogenesis: a technique to correct facial asymmetry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of modified simultaneous maxillary-mandibular distraction to correct facial asymmetry in patients with compensated occlusion and a canted occlusal plane.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period January 1998-December 2003, 15 patients with facial asymmetry (8 male and 7 female, mean age 18 years) were treated using a modified technique of simultaneous maxillary-mandibular distraction. Their facial deformities were caused by hemicraniofacial microsomia (n=6) or ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (n=9).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (range) gain in mandibular height was 16 (13-22) mm, and increase in elongation 14 (11-18) mm achieved over 11-22 days. Predicted movement on cephalometric analysis correlated closely with the actual distraction (mean accuracy 0.4mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous bimaxillary distraction osteogenesis is a robust technique that provides the surgeon with the ability to correct facial asymmetry in patients with hemicraniofacial microsomia and those with facial deformity after ankylosis of the TMJ. A cephalometric prediction tracing made before distraction is a reliable guide to the actual distraction needed to correct the facial deformities in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Egypt; Dental Department, Al Hada-Al Taief Armed Military Hospital, Al Taief, Saudi Arabia. ehabshehata@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ehab A A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shehata
authors.forename: Ahmed M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Medra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000150:complications; D002508:Cephalometry; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008865:Microstomia / Q000150:complications; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications