title: Novel Rigid External Distraction Device Improves Stability and Controls the Vector During Midfacial Advancement.
abstract: The major limitation of the rigid external devices currently used for midfacial distraction after subcranial Le Fort III osteotomies is the ductile wire that connects the midface to the device, which makes it difficult to control the vector and force during distraction. The authors describe a novel external appliance that addresses this and other problems of contemporary devices, and application of a custom cranial template that facilitates precise placement of the device to achieve the planned vector of distraction.
authors.affiliation: *Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital †Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA ‡DEKA Research and Development Corporation, Manchester, NH §Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Cory M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Stephen Alex
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rottgers
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Langenfeld
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mulliken
authors.forename: Bonnie L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Padwa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D003394:Craniofacial Dysostosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation*