title: Complications during mandibular midline distraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the number and type of complications during mandibular midline distraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 100 consecutive patients who underwent mandibular midline distraction were evaluated, and complications which occurred up to 2 weeks after surgery were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients had complications during the distraction period. In four cases the screw of the appliance rotated back between the activations. In three cases the osteotomy had to be repeated because the symphysis did not open; two cases developed scar strictures, in another two a lower incisor fractured. One case developed an abscess, one a mandibular swelling, and one a large gingival recession.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications during or shortly after mandibular midline distraction surgery are relatively rare and mostly mild or transient. Only 3% of the patients presented irreversible damage. Thus, mandibular midline distraction appears to be a relatively safe method of expanding the mandible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Giesen, Germany. Julia.v.Bremen@dentist.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Bremen
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kater
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruf
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries