Mandibular elongation by automatic distraction osteogenesis: The first application in humans

We report the case of a 65-year-old man who was the first person to have the right ramus of his mandible lengthened by 20 mm by automatic continuous distraction osteogenesis. The device consists of two units: a component that is implanted into the bone, and an external component that is distant from the surgical site and mounted on a battery-driven portable syringe driver or infusion pump. A non-compressible drive cable connects the two.