Distraction Osteogenesis of the Mandible: Report of a case

Abstract

Distraction osteogenesis is a relatively new modality for the management of asymmetric mandibles. It involves the gradual distraction of osteotomised segments of bone to produce bone lengthening at the site of osteotomy. The aim of this paper is to present a case of unilateral mandibular hypoplasia treated using distraction osteogenesis at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. A 12 year old boy with left sided mandibular hypoplasia was treated using distraction osteogenesis. A bi-directional distractor was used to increase both ramal height and mandibular corpus length. A distraction rate of 1mm per day with a 12 hourly rhythm of 0.5mm activation was done for both ramal and corpus lengthening. A gain of 10mm and 23mm in mandibular ramus height and corpus length respectively was achieved with improvement of the patient’s facial profile. There was no significant occlusal derangement at completion of treatment. Distraction osteogenesis remains a versatile treatment modality for the correction of skeletal deficiencies in the body including the mandible. There was also appreciable soft tissue growth accompanying bone lengthening