The Use of Distraction Osteogenesis in Oral Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of facial deformities can be fixed through this procedure?

These procedures can be used to treat a wide range of facial deformities but it is most appropriate in syndromic patients and children with conditions such as cleft palate, severe asymmetry, severe mandibular hypoplasia with resulting airway compromise, facial clefts, Treacher-Collins syndrome, Pierre-Robin sequence and hemifacial microsomia.

Would there be any visible scars?

Upper jaw distraction utilizes a rigid external halo that produces minimal scarring and is well hidden in the hairline. Lower jaw distraction can be both intraoral and extraoral. In most cases, scarring is present but not severe.

With this in young children, will their jaw still grow normally?

There appears to be growth potential in these children though in most cases they will still not grow adequately. They may require further surgery to more fully correct their deformity and establish a more functional occlusion.

Would there be a lot of swelling afterward?

Patients exhibit minimal swelling after the procedure, the majority of which resolves within 7 to 10 days, though there is some residual swelling until after completion of the distraction phase of treatment.

What kind of follow up with the doctor is needed after this procedure?

After completion of surgery and discharge home, the device will be activated between 2 and 5 days after surgery. The patient will be closely monitored during the active phase of distraction with follow-up every 3 to 5 days. After the completion of the distraction, the patient is seen every 1 or 2 weeks during the retention phase of treatment…and then monthly for 3 to 6 months.

What kind of questions should I ask my doctor before this procedure?

The kind of questions that should be asked should include a decision regarding treatment goals for distraction and the appropriateness and ability of distraction to reach that goal, what type of device will be used, how long will the device need to be worn for both distraction and retention, are other retention devices necessary after removal of the device and how long must they be worn, what type of similar patients have been done and what have their treatment outcomes been, does the device have FDA approval and how long has it been available on the market, what is the doctor’s experience in treating these types of patients, and what possible alternatives are there to distraction.