ABSTRACT
Distraction osteogenesis has become an important technique for craniofacial surgery over the
last 18 years. Recent research and developments have centered around (i) identifying
appropriate indications for the distraction procedures, (ii) perfecting distraction instrumen-
tation and devices, and (iii) understanding the biology of distraction within membranous
bone (1-3). For the craniofacial surgeon, distraction osteogenesis has been a bridge towards
tissue engineering techniques. It offers the benefit of reducedmorbidity without a need for bone
grafting. In addition, there is the theoretic improvement of decreased relapse from less soft
tissue recoil postprocedure due to the gradual lengthening of the distraction technique.
