Mandibular Distraction for Micrognathia in Neonates

Abstract

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) comprises the clinical triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, with a reported incidence of 0.5 to 2.1 per 10,000 live births. The mainstay of management involves prompt diagnosis of airway obstruction and airway management. The gold standard surgical intervention for management of symptomatic micrognathia is mandibular lengthening by distraction osteogenesis (MDO) to anteriorly reposition a retroflexed tongue and relieve obstruction. Although MDO is often successful in the short-term in relieving upper airway obstruction and/or avoiding the need for permanent tracheostomy, the long-term effects of MDO are not yet elucidated.