ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: When reconstructing the mandible after tumour resection with a fibular graft, the mandible is often vertically deficient, making placement of dental implants impossible. PATIENTS: Segmental vertical distraction of the reconstructed mandible was performed in nine patients following tumour surgery between February 1998 and 2001. Their age was 14-65 years (average 46.3); all underwent radiotherapy with a dose of up to 55.6 Gy prior to tumour resection. Mandibular discontinuity was repaired with a microvascular fibular bone graft. All grafts had a vertical bone deficit ranging from 9 to 12 mm when compared with the non-resected part of the mandibles. METHODS: All patients underwent segmental vertical distraction of the transplants. The distraction devices were applied intraorally. Distraction of 1.0 mm/day was performed using a Martin distractor (TRACK 1.5) followed by 12 weeks retention time. RESULTS: The increase of vertical bone height was stable and enabled placement of dental implants without any complications. CONCLUSION: Vertical distraction osteogenesis may become a common procedure in the treatment of alveolar ridge deficiency resulting from transplanting fibulae for mandibular reconstruction following tumour surgery.