Cranio-maxillo-facial tissue expansion, experimentally based or clinically empiric? A review of the literature

The literature over 10 years covering tissue expansion in cranio-maxillo-facial surgery is reviewed. Since 1981, an evolving set of indications for application of the soft-tissue expansion technique has been published. However, it seems to be based much more on clinical experience (empiricism) than on the results of thorough experimental research. The direction of future research should be aimed at effects on bone, cartilage and mucosa at a microscopical level, and at the influence on growth and development of cranio-maxillo-facial structures.