It used to be that if you were born with a facial deformity, it would define your appearance for the rest of your life. Innovations in facial reconstruction, however, are helping to reverse this trend. According to a new report by Millennium Research Group (MRG), facial distraction is emerging in the United States as a surgical intervention that helps the body reshape itself. The procedure is still in its infancy, however, with only a fraction of oral and maxillofacial surgeons capable of performing this procedure. In 2003, only 1,120 mandibular distractions were performed in the United States, a figure that is expected to increase by only a few hundred over the next five years.

Distraction is the process of reconstructing skeletal deformities through the controlled displacement of surgically created fractures (osteotomies).

The bones to be corrected are fixed by a number of transcutaneous pins connected to a system of rod, rings, and wires joined by hinges, which are used to control the direction and speed of bone growth. Mandibular distraction is the most common form of this procedure and is used to correct asymmetry of the jaw, to reconstruct bone in oncology and trauma cases, and for a number of genetic disorders that result in jaw deformity.

Facial distraction is still in its infancy, having only existed in its modern form since the early 1990’s. Consequently, the primary market drivers remain increasing physician education and awareness. Due to the limited number of distraction procedures performed annually in the US, however, little independent evidence exists to support the use of such products, and controversy surrounding its use still exists within the industry. From 2004 to 2008, the US craniomaxillofacial distraction market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of almost 10%.

MRG’s US Craniomaxillofacial Device Market 2004 report covers the distraction, craniomaxillofacial plate and screw fixation, cranial flap fixation clamp, and temporomandibular joint replacement markets. Key competitors covered include Synthes, Walter Lorenz (BMET), Stryker Leibinger (SYK), KLS Martin, Osteomed, MacroPore Biosurgery (MRPOF), and DePuy Codman (JNJ).

A leading source of competitive intelligence, MRG is now the largest provider of medical device market research in the world. Located in Toronto, Canada, MRG covers global markets and has pioneered reporting of numerous emerging products.

Contact Information:
Nilesh Patel
Millennium Research Group Inc.,
(416) 364-7776 ext. 121
www.mrg.net