title: Complications after mandibular distraction osteogenesis: a retrospective study of 131 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to evaluate the occurrence and severity of complications after mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) with internal devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a retrospective analysis of 131 patients (mean age: 16.2 years) consecutively treated by mandibular DO from 1998 to 2009. Ninety-two patients had unilateral and 39 had bilateral distraction, yielding a total of 170 procedures. The mean follow-up period was 21 months. Severity of complications was ranked in terms of need of intervention and risk of a compromised outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minor, moderate, and severe complications occurred in 58%, 8%, and 3% of the patients, respectively. Most minor complications were related to device activation or temporary hypesthesia. Moderate complications often related to hardware, whereas severe complications occurred in 4 patients with sensory deficit or temporomandibular joint problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although minor complications were frequent, they did not compromise treatment outcome, so mandibular DO is considered a safe method for correction of mandibular deformities. Moreover, some of the complications could be prevented by proper precautions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. svenoe@rm.dk
authors.forename: Sven Erik
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Nørholt
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schou
authors.forename: Thomas Klit
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult