Trifocal distraction osteogenesis for segmental mandibular defect: a technical innovation

Distraction osteogenesis in the mandible is a promising method, not only for correction of mandibular hypoplasia such as hemifacial microsomia, but also for reconstruction of segmental bone defects in the mandible. The authors report a case in which a mandibular segmental defect, about 60 mm in length, was reconstructed by distraction osteogenesis. The patient was a 45-year-old man who had been treated for an oral floor cancer. After preoperative chemotherapy and irradiation therapy, the mandible had been resected from the second incisor on the right side to the first molar on the left side, and had been reconstructed with a titanium plate and a vascularized rectus-abdominis compound flap. However, an infection developed around the titanium plate and this plate had to be removed. Therefore, trifocal distraction using an original three-dimensional distractor was performed, at the rate of 1 mm per day (0.5 mm in the morning and 0.5 mm in the evening). During the distraction period, the skin flap was pushed out from the bone defect. Although small free bone transplants were needed for complete continuity, the segmental bone defect was almost filled by the regenerated bone with the lengthened gingiva. Radiographic observation showed successful new bone formation in the lengthened area.