Biomechanics: Transverse Plane
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In the transverse plane, the biomechanical effects of linear distractors placed parallel to the body of the mandible, or placed parallel to the common sagittal axis of distraction were analyzed for cases involving bilateral mandibular lengthening alone or in combination with midline widening (Samchukov et al., 1998).

Bilateral Mandibular Lengthening

A two dimensional model of the human mandible in the transverse plane was generated for computer simulation of osteodistraction. An "osteotomy" of the mandibular body was performed bilaterally, posterior to the 3^rd molars, and linear distractors were positioned on the lateral surface of the bone segments. In Model I, the distractors were oriented parallel to the lateral surface of the mandible regardless of the common axis of distraction. In Model II, the distractors were oriented parallel to each other and to the common axis of distraction. For each model, the distal bone segment was then moved 10 mm anteriorly, in 1 mm increments.

FIG. 5.1.1, 5.1.2. Computer simulation of mandibular distraction. Model I (left) - distractors oriented parallel to the body of the mandible. Model II (right) - distractors oriented parallel to the common axis of distraction. For analytical purposes, the following assumptions were made: 1) constant orientation of the distractors relative to the lateral surface of the mandible,  2) fixed position of the proximal bone segments, 3) rigid fixation of the anterior distractor components to bone segments, 4) nonrigid fixation of the posterior distractor components to bone segments.

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