The ǃ?FADǃ? (Floating Alveolar Device): A bidirectional distraction system for distraction osteogenesis of the alveolar process

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The ǃ?FADǃ? (Floating Alveolar Device): A bidirectional distraction system for distraction osteogenesis of the alveolar process
September 2004
Massimo Robiony, MD * *
Corrado Toro, MD ǃÜ
Suzanne U. Stucki-McCormick, DDS ǃ?
Nicoletta Zerman, MD ¨?
Fabio Costa, MD ?
Massimo Politi, MD
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Online
Abstract
Purpose The following study illustrates preoperative and perioperative vector management in alveolar distraction using a new distraction systemǃÓthe ǃ?Floating Alveolar Deviceǃ? (FAD). The FAD is a bidirectional alveolar distractor that allows augmentation of an atrophic alveolar process in several planes, assures easy intraoperative positioning of the planned vector of distraction, and provides correction of the horizontal position of the transported segment during and after vertical distraction.
Patients and methods The FAD is composed entirely of stainless steel and has the following basic components: an upper member, a distraction rod, a lower base plate supporting the vertical force of the distraction rod, a jointed hinge that connects the upper and the lower members, and a tightening rod that provides blocking of the hinge. The clinician can manipulate and adjust the tightening rods, allowing a change in the angle of the hinge, thereby altering the transverse dimension of the vector of distraction. A total of 4 patients aged to 19 to 40 years underwent bidirectional alveolar distraction. All procedures were performed in the mandible.
Results In all treated patients, planned distraction height and direction were achieved. In all cases it was possible to place implants at the planned time.
Conclusions The most common complication, axial displacement, is easily eliminated by moving the bone with the ǃ?floatingǃ? rod of the FAD during or immediately after the distraction period, according to the principles of the floating bone concept.
Publishing and Reprint Information
*Associate Professor of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
ǃÜResident in Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
ǃ?Private Practice, Encinitas, CA
¨?Associate Professor of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara,Italy
?Assistant Professor of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine,Italy
¨?Professor of Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Head of the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine,Italy
*Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Robiony: Cattedra di Chirurgia Maxillo-Facciale, Policlinico Universitario, P.le S. Maria della Misericordia, 33 100 Udine, Italy
Email address: massimo.robiony@med.uniud.it (Massimo Robiony)
Copyright ¨© 2004 by American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2004.06.039
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