Response of patients and families to lengthening of the facial bones by extraoral distraction osteogenesis: a review of 14 patients

Fourteen patients or their immediate family were interviewed about their experiences of having either unilateral or bilateral external distraction osteogenesis of the mandible. The patients showed a high level of co-operation with treatment. Six of the 14 patients required repeat distractions, and had been informed and accepted that this was a possibility before the initial distraction. However, patients or their parents expressed some reservations about the extraoral distractors, which prevented them from practising their favourite sport and made them vulnerable to bullying by their friends and colleagues. Patients had moderate pain when the appliances were removed. They all expressed their satisfaction with the results and would recommend this treatment to others. Problems, including speech, eating, pain, and sleeping difficulties, were encountered by patients at all stages of treatment. Of considerable concern was the disruption of education when the child was treated during the school term.