Fig. 1

Three phases in distraction osteogenesis. There are three phases in the course of distraction osteogenesis (latency, distraction, and consolidation). The latency phase is the waiting period from the time of osteotomy to the start of distraction. The distraction phase is the period in which tension is applied to the callus at a constant rate and rhythm to extend it to the desired length. The consolidation phase is the period in which the callus undergoes mineralization and finally stabilizes