Bone deposition/generation with LeFort III (midface) distraction.
BACKGROUND
It is essential to critically assess bone deposition in midface distraction. The aim of this study was to characterize the quality and volume of bone deposition at specific osteotomy sites following midface distraction.


METHODS
At approximately 6 months after distraction, computed tomographic scans with three-dimensional reconstruction were obtained on 10 craniosynostosis syndromal patients who had undergone LeFort III osteotomy and midface distraction. Patient age ranged from 37 to 109 months (mean, 63.7 months) and the distractions ranged from 7 to 15 mm. Both the reconstructed scans and axial cuts were independently evaluated by four blinded observers (two plastic surgeons, an orthodontist, and a radiologist) and graded for bone deposition in predetermined anatomical sites correlated to the osteotomy.


RESULTS
The authors found that variable bony bridging occurred at all sites along the osteotomy, but bone deposition was most reliably seen at the pterygomaxillary buttress and nasofrontal junction. In addition, the medial orbital walls tended to show greater consistency in bone deposition than the lateral orbital walls, and deposition at the zygomatic arches was shown to be least likely to occur. The technique of evaluation and the clinically significant findings are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Bony deposition occurs more reliably in the medial facial skeleton following LeFort III osteotomy, and osteotomy through the zygomatic body was more likely to result in deposition than one through the arch.
Jensen
John N
JN
Milwaukee, Wis.; New York, N.Y.; and Ankara Turkey From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin; Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine; and Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine.
McCarthy
Joseph G
JG
Grayson
Barry H
BH
Nusbaum
Annette O
AO
Eski
Muhittin
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort