The reconstruction of mandibular defects secondary to extirpation of malignancy is a complex problem and may be accomplished with a variety of techniques. These defects may consist of both hard and soft tissues, and a successful result depends on the selection of an appropriate reconstruction method. While the use of a variety of free microvascular tissue transfers may provide an excellent outcome, the attraction of distraction osteogenesis is obvious due to its greater technical ease. Distraction osteogenesis of the human mandible, drawing on the experience of the management of long bone disorders, is a comparatively new technique.