Mandibular distraction in a neonate with muscular dystrophy

The following case report describes the successful use of distraction osteogenesis (DO) for the treatment of hypoplasia of the mandible in a patient with muscular dystrophy (MD). While DO has been used for hypoplasia of the mandible, no evidence exists that is it safe in the setting of MD. MD is a disease that primarily affects skeletal muscle; however, pathologic changes in the adjacent bone have been described. Furthermore, the healing of involved bone may be problematic, making DO a potentially unsuccessful technique in this group of patients. This report is the first successful utilization of DO for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia in a patient with MD.