[Mandibular micrognathism as a sequela of early childhood capitulum fractures and their treatment using distraction osteogenesis].

We report about our experience in five patients who suffered from a mandibular micrognathia after ancylosis of the temporomandibular joint. At first the ancylosis was removed using a costochondral graft. About one year later, the mandible was cut by an osteotomy behind the last visible toothbud and a distractor was inserted. The mandible was to a slide overcorrection. This has to be taken into account to compensate a certain relapse. At first we used an unidirectional device, for one and a half years we have used a bidirectional device (Normed from Tuttlingen/Germany) which enables us to correct mandibular hypoplasias more adequately. Up to now our experience shows, that gradual callus-distraction leads to stable normalization of mandibular hypoplasias. Functional problems concerning chewing and speech are solved, the dramatical improvement of the profile of the face may avoid psycho-social problems for these patients.