title: Gunshot wounds: two cases of midface reconstruction by osteogenic distraction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of the midface is a surgical challenge because of the aesthetic and functional implications that are characteristic of this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe two cases of reconstruction after gunshot wounds of the midface by a customized external ostegeognic device (OBL Laboratory). These two patients had mandibular reconstruction by osteogenic distraction by the same technic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gunshot wounds cause considerable cutaneous, osseous and muscular damage. Reconstruction techniques have to reconstruct all those tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reconstruction by osteogenic distraction allows the bone and soft tissues to be simultaneously expanded. This expansion decreases the patchwork effect of free flap reconstruction. An other advantage of reconstructing the soft tissues at the same time by osteogenic distraction is that subsequent bone grafts can be covered, reducing the risks of their exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital, Caen, France. dr.labbe@wanaddo.fr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Labbé
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicolas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaluzinski
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soubeyrand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delcampe
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benateau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004954:Esthetics; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008338:Mandibular Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*