Distraction osteogenesis and orthognathic surgery are the widely used surgical methods for treating hemifacial microsomia and cleft lip and palate, the representative forms of congenital deformity. Distraction osteogenesis is an outstanding treatment of choice when more traction is needed than what can be achieved by general orthognathic surgery. However, the stability of distraction osteogenesis has not yet been established, and in most of the cases, additional orthognathic surgery is mandatory. Moreover, the difficulty in precise control of the traction directions is another disadvantage of distraction osteogenesis. Therefore, it would be desirable not to conduct distraction osteogenesis when the patient is suitable for an orthognathic surgery. Also, distraction osteogenesis should be recognized as an accessorial method of treatment, and be used restrictively.ope
