Midface distraction to alleviate upper airway obstruction in achondroplastic dwarfs.
OBJECTIVE
The use of midface distraction in patients with achondroplasia and upper airway obstruction secondary to midface hypoplasia has not been reported. In this report, we review the treatment of two patients with severe midface hypoplasia and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to achondroplasia using midface distraction osteogenesis.


METHODS
Two patients with achondroplastic dwarfism and midface hypoplasia with airway obstruction were treated in a tertiary referral center for craniofacial disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Both patients had their tracheostomies decannulated after midface distraction of 25 mm. Midface distraction osteogenesis is useful to alleviate upper airway obstruction from midface hypoplasia seen in achondroplasia.
Elwood
Eric T
ET
Division of Plastic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Burstein
Fernando D
FD
Graham
Leroy
L
Williams
Joseph K
JK
Paschal
Michelle
M
D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014139:Tracheostomy