title: Unilateral mandibular hypoplasia in adult patients: distraction osteogenesis and conventional osteotomies in a standardized sequence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study analyzed the outcomes of nongrowing patients with unilateral mandibular hypoplasia treated according to a specific protocol, which combines distraction osteogenesis, orthodontic treatment, and conventional osteotomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients treated were objectively evaluated. Patient's satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire. Surgical changes were analyzed using cephalometry and three-dimensional facial surface data before surgery (T0) and at long-term (T1) follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients were included in this study. The normalization of facial proportion and a high increase in symmetry were evident. Residual defects were documented in the postoperative symmetry of the chin. In the questionnaire, all patients gave favorable responses to their facial changes; for most of the objective parameters, all patients improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multistage treatment protocol for the correction of facial deformities in patients with unilateral mandibular hypoplasia is a valid procedure for skeletal and occlusal stability. An evident improvement of the facial appearance is also achieved.
authors.affiliation: From the *Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Sciences Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, and †Department of Science of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerbino
authors.forename: Francesca Antonella
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verzé
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramieri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D063172:Genioplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063173:Retrognathia / Q000601:surgery; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult