Mandibular Lengthening: Frankfurt System
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David Genecov, MD, Kenneth Salyer, MD, Edward Genecov, DDS, Eric Hubli, MD

Introduction

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis has been performed at the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas, Texas, since 1993. Fourty-nine patients with craniofacial microsomia, Treacher Collins Syndrome, traumatic mandibular deformities, and Rhomberg’s hemifacial atrophy have undergone 53 distraction procedures on 61 hemimandibles and 4 midfaces. Fourty-six uni-directional and 15 bi-directional devices (KLS-Martin, Jacksonville, FL, USA) have been used for mandibular lengthening. The average distraction distance was 21.3 mm. Although 10 patients had previously undergone costochondral rib grafts, they were distracted successfully. Combined midfacial and mandibular distraction was performed on 3 patients. Complications included pin site infections (4), hardware failure (6), nerve injury (3), and fibrous malunion (1). Follow-up periods ranged from 3 months to 5.5 years.