title: Mandibular midline distraction: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A systematic review of mandibular midline distraction (MMD) was carried out to assess effectiveness, treatment related difficulties, complications and biomechanical effects of this treatment modality objectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials (RCT), controlled clinical trials (CCT) and case series concerning MMD with a sample size of >5 were searched electronically in Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane and CENTRAL up to September 6th 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  85 unique articles were found of which 22 met our inclusion criteria. The study designs of the articles found were prospective (9), retrospective (9) or uncertain (2). One clinical trial and no randomized clinical trials were found. The methodological quality was considered low in most articles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Generally MMD is a safe and effective treatment modality to treat transverse mandibular discrepancies, however controversies still exist: choice of distractor, surgical setting, distraction rate, start of orthodontic treatment and relapse. In addition, little is known about patient experience and quality of life after treatment. Further prospective trials are necessary to address these controversies and questions.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: de Gijt
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Vervoorn
authors: E B
authors: EB
authors: Wolvius
authors: K G H
authors: KG
authors: Van der Wal
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Koudstaal
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome