The study aimed to explore the feasibility of posterior maxillectomy reconstruction by transport distraction in a primate model. In each of 14 male adult rhesus monkeys, posterior partial maxillectomy was performed on one side of maxilla to create a posterior maxillary defect. Immediately after the maxillectomy, a dentoalveolar segment anterior to the defect was osteotomized as transport segment and a custom-made transport distractor was fixed on the residual maxilla.
After a latency period of 5 days, the distractor was activated 1 mm daily to move the transport segment backward to the defect. The process lasted about 2 weeks. The transport segment was allowed to consolidate and the animals were sacrified at different defined intervals. Transport distraction was successful in six animals.
Three other cases were completed with minor wound dehiscence and one had a small oro-antral fistula with subsequent masillary sinusitis. New bone bridging the distraction gap was confirmed by radiography and histology in the animals completing distraction. Reconstruction of posterior maxillectomy defect is proven feasible by transport distraction osteogenesis.

In this pilot study, the principle of distraction osteogenesis was used to advance the midface of a boxer dog. A modified high Le Fort I-type osteotomy was performed. Following a latency period of 5 days the maxilla was distracted 14 mm in 14 consecutive days at a rate of 1 mm per day.
Ten weeks after the completion of the distraction, multiple biopsies were taken across the distraction gap. Histological observation showed bone deposition in the osteotomy sites. Soft and hard tissue formation resulted in complete healing across the distraction gap. The maxillary sinus was used to accommodate the distraction device. Superimposition of the standardized lateral cephalograms taken at the end of distraction and 14 months after the removal of the distractors showed no sign of relapse in the achieved sagital advancement of the maxilla.
This small, intraoral-trans-sinusal placed distractor has a completely new conceptual design, and may be helpful in distraction of maxilla in children and adults with midfacial hypoplasia.

Placement of the endosseous implants in the maxilla has been proven to be a reliable treatment modality. If there is lack of supporting bone, the placed implant may not have enough primary stability and may migrate into the maxillary sinus. Displaced implants must be removed. If there are no signs of maxillary sinusitis, augmentation of the resulting alveolar defect can be performed during the same procedure.