Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by mandibular elongation using osseous distraction followed by a Le Fort I advancement osteotomy: Case report

Abstract

The work of Snyder et al 1 Snyder CC Levine GA Swanson HM et al. Mandibular lengthening by gradual distraction: Preliminary report. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1973; 51: 506 Crossref PubMed Scopus (461) Google Scholar in 1973 on canine mandibles made it possible to apply the principle of bone elongation that was already widely used by Ilizarov in clinical orthopedics for elongation of the long bones. 2 Ilizarov GA Basic principles of transosseous compression and distraction osteosynthesis. Ortop Travmatol Protez. 1971; 32: 7 PubMed Google Scholar Application of this technique in maxillofacial surgery dates back to 1992, when McCarthy and co-workers 3 McCarthy JG Schreiber J Karp N et al. Lengthening the human mandible by gradual distraction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1992; 89: 1 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1566) Google Scholar , 4 McCarthy JG The role of distraction osteogenesis in the reconstruction of the mandible in unilateral craniofacial microsomia. Clin Plast Surg. 1994; 21: 625 PubMed Google Scholar reported the first cases of mandibular elongation using an external device in 4 patients with congenital mandibular defects (facial microsomia, Nager syndrome). Since then, large series have been reported, 5 Molina F Ortiz Monasterio F Mandibular elongation and remodeling by distraction: A farewell to major osteotomies. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995; 96: 825 Crossref PubMed Scopus (447) Google Scholar and new indications have been described using this principle, in particular in preprosthetic surgery and reconstruction of mandibular continuity defects after surgical resection or trauma (bone transport). The devices available were initially applied externally, 3 McCarthy JG Schreiber J Karp N et al. Lengthening the human mandible by gradual distraction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1992; 89: 1 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1566) Google Scholar , 4 McCarthy JG The role of distraction osteogenesis in the reconstruction of the mandible in unilateral craniofacial microsomia. Clin Plast Surg. 1994; 21: 625 PubMed Google Scholar but they have now been miniaturized and can be applied intraorally. 6 McCarthy JG Staffenberg DA Wood RJ et al. Introduction of an intraoral bone-lengthening device. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995; 96: 978 Crossref PubMed Scopus (72) Google Scholar , 7 Chin M Toth BA Distraction osteogenesis in maxillofacial surgery using internal devices: Review of five cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1996; 54: 45 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (465) Google Scholar , 8 Diner PA Kollar EM Martinez H et al. Intraoral distraction for mandibular lengthening: A technical innovation. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 1996; 24: 92 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (111) Google Scholar