Distraction Osteogenesis

Traditional orthognathic surgery & craniofacial reconstruction procedures have gained a generalized acceptance & experienced wide spread success, but many limitations are associated with acute advancement of the osteotomized bone segment. One of the major limitation is the inability of the soft tissue to be actually stretched. Generally the craniofacial deformities require such a large skeletal movement that surrounding soft tissue cannot adapt to their new position resulting in degenerative changes, relapse & compromised function & aesthetics. Distraction osteogenesis gives new direction to the treatment of these anomalies. "Distraction osteogenesis is a biological process of new bone formation between the surfaces of bone segments that are gradually separated by incremental traction" The traction force applied on bone also create tension in the surrounding tissue, initiating a sequence of adaptive changes termed as "distraction histogenesis". This book deals with the protocols, biology of bone formation, techniques, distractors, recent advancements and complications in the surgery of distraction osteogensis.