Distraction Osteogenesis in the Surgical Treatment of Airway Obstruction

Insufficient or underdeveloped maxilla or mandible can be related with syndromic or non syndromic growth problems. The restriction of pharyngeal airway can be occurred dealing with retropositioning of the maxilla and mandible which cause many problems such as the feeding problem, decreased oxygen saturation, glossoptosis. Surgical treatment methods can be needed for these patients who have severe airway obstruction. Distraction osteogenesis is the technique that new bone formation between the osteotomized segments can be provided, firstly described in 1905. DO can provide to achieve gradual bone formation with adaptation and gain of soft tissue, especially in neonates and children for excessive repositioning of maxilla and mandible needed for optimum outcomes. Various types of distractors, including external and submerged devices, have been used for the treatment of craniomaxillofacial defects and syndromic airway obstructions. DO method can be preferred for its positive effects on the advancement of the maxilla and midfacial skeleton. The need for additional grafting can be eliminated by stimulating the generation of new bone inside the gap that has been created at DO. The distraction of soft tissues, including nerve fibres and muscular structures along the distracted bone, is also observed and known as distraction histiogenesis. Advancement of the facial skeletal structures by means of Distraction Osteogenesis is an effective safe alternative treatment method of airway obstruction when excessive transportation of the segments is needed without grafting procedure.