Effect of calcium sulfate pellets on early bone mineralization in distraction osteogenesis for craniofacial microsomia in adults

The purpose of this project was to study the effect of calcium sulfate pellets on early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis. A total of 13 patients (control group: five patients; calcium sulfate group: eight patients) were operated on between April 2001 and December 2004. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 25 years. In the calcium sulfate group, after completing a mandibular osteotomy, a total of 4 mm was distracted initially. Nine to 10 calcium sulfate (Osteoset) pellets were implanted into the 4-mm distracted gap of mandible. In the control group, a mandibular osteotomy alone was created without the initial 4-mm distraction gap and the implantation of calcium sulfate. Five days after the operation, the distraction of the mandible was performed at a rate of 1 mm per day. The distracted length of the mandible was between 7 and 23 mm. The follow-up period ranged between 10 and 22 months. In the calcium sulfate group, the percentage of bone mineral density in the distracted area, compared with the normal mandible, was much higher than in the control group with a statistical significance of P < 0.05. The external distraction devices of the calcium sulfate group were removed 5 to 7 weeks after distraction. The devices of the control group were removed by 11 or 12 weeks. In conclusion, results of the present study suggested that calcium sulfate is a very active, economic, and biocompatible osteoconductive material, which has a good effect on early consolidation in distraction osteogenesis.