Measuring and logging forces during midfacial distraction osteogenesis

Clefts in lip, jaw and palate are the second most common congenital deformity. With approx.

Clefts in lip, jaw and palate are the second most common congenital deformity. With approx. 20 – 30 % of patients, there is a disparity in the growth of the upper and lower jaw, so that the midfacial area with the upper jaw is retarded. In many cases, it makes medical sense to correct this with surgery once growth is complete.
Frequently, however, the disparity is pronounced; in addition to this, scarring from earlier surgeries and missing bone and soft tissue can make the corrective surgery more complicated.