Frontofacial advancement by distraction osteogenesis: a long-term review.

BACKGROUND: Frontofacial advancement by distraction osteogenesis is known to produce significant functional and aesthetic gains in the short and medium term. Little is known about the long-term effects of this technique. The authors present a long-term review of frontofacial advancement by distraction in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis. METHODS: In 2008, Witherow et al. presented functional outcomes in 20 consecutive patients who underwent frontofacial advancement by distraction osteogenesis using the rigid external distractor frame. This retrospective study has revisited the outcomes in these patients after a mean follow-up period of 10.2 years. RESULTS: Records for the original 20 patients were assessed. Cephalometric analysis demonstrated stable advancements over the long term. No patient achieved any anterior growth of the midface after frontofacial advancement. Long-term follow-up demonstrated a later deterioration of respiratory function in the younger group of patients (36.4 percent). Four patients required adenotonsillectomy. One patient has a persistent tracheostomy. Only one patient required further procedures to correct recurrent raised intracranial pressure. None of the patients in the older group experienced a deterioration of function. Other procedures included reduction of the supraorbital ridge, bimaxillary osteotomies, and rhinoplasties. CONCLUSIONS: Frontofacial distraction produced long-term stable advancement in all cases, and 15 of the 17 living patients (88.2 percent) achieved stable functional gains. Anterior growth of the midface does not occur following monobloc distraction. Deterioration in function is seen in those who undergo this procedure at a young age. The authors recommend regular follow-up of these patients. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.