Re: Distraction Osteogenesis

[Guest guest]

It's a similar concept but SARPE is a specific procedure to widen

the palate. Distraction can be used on any bone in the body (such as

limb lengthening procedures to make people with dwarfism taller). In

orthognathic surgery it's generally used for greater movements (i.e.

advancing the mandible more than 10 mm).

Here is a website that diagrams several different procedures on the

mandible:

http://www.klsmartin.com/MOD-line/molina.htm#Distraction%20Technique

I've undergone distraction twice. The first was to advance my lower

jaw 17 mm in September 2002. I am now 11 days post-op from surgery

again. This time we're using distraction to rebuild my condyles that

were destroyed by arthritis. Over a two week period, I have to have

screws turned twice a day. I am now on day #4 of turning out of 15.

The advantage is that my TMJ joints are rebuilt using my own bone

rather than artificial joints or cadaver bone so they should last

longer. Also with the screws my surgeon can fine tune how much

growth there is on each side. The main disadvantage is it takes

longer to get the results (about 3 weeks for me) and it is very

painful.

Are you considering distraction? Let me know if you have any more

questions. Hopefully I made a little bit of sense. I'm still woozy

from all the pain meds.

> Does anyone know if distraction osteogenesis is the same as the

> surgery done with the SARPE?

>

> Nathalie