Nonoral Feeding Does Not Predict the Occurrence of Bone Healing Complications in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis.

Introduction: Patients undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) frequently have risk factors that may hinder bone healing during consolidation. Here, we examine how preoperative feeding modalities affect bone healing in MDO patients.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing MDO between 2015 and 2024. Data included patient demographics, preoperative feeding modality, and bone healing complications. SPSS was used for statistical analysis, employing Fisher exact test for categorical variables, and logistic regression to adjust for confounding variables.

Results: Twenty-two patients were analyzed (average age=14.77 mo). Twenty-one patients had preoperative feeding difficulties, with 6 patients feeding by mouth (PO) and 16 patients requiring alternative (non-PO) methods. Ten patients experienced bone healing complications; 7 patients had delayed consolidation and 6 had nonunion. Proportions of complications between patients with PO versus non-PO feeding were comparable (Fisher exact P-Value= 1.000). Logistic regressions showed age at surgery, preoperative weight, non-PO feeding, and the presence of Pierre Robin Sequence or cleft palate did not predict the occurrence of bone healing complications, delayed consolidation, or nonunion (P>0.05). Non-PO feeding had the strongest association with the occurrence of bone healing complications and nonunion, with odds ratios of 2.016 (95% CI: 0.154-26.309, P-Value=0.593) and 7.155 (0.086-597.411, P-Value=0.383), respectively.

Conclusion: Our data indicates preoperative feeding modality does not correlate with bone healing complications, suggesting MDO can be considered for patients regardless of feeding modality, potentially expanding eligibility for the procedure without increased risk. Additional research is warranted to understand risk factor effects on MDO outcomes.