Speech prognosis and need of pharyngeal flap for non syndromic vs syndromic Pierre Robin Sequence.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate speech outcome and need of a pharyngeal flap in children born with nonsyndromic Pierre Robin Sequence (nsPRS) vs syndromic Pierre Robin Sequence (sPRS).


METHODS
Pierre Robin Sequence was diagnosed when the triad microretrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate were present. Children were classified at birth in 3 categories depending on respiratory and feeding problems. The Borel-Maisonny classification was used to score the velopharyngeal insufficiency.


RESULTS
The study was based on 38 children followed from 1985 to 2006. For the 25 nsPRS, 9 (36%) pharyngeal flaps were performed with improvements of the phonatory score in the 3 categories. For the 13 sPRS, 3 (23%) pharyngeal flaps were performed with an improvement of the phonatory scores in the 3 children. There was no statistical difference between the nsPRS and sPRS groups (P = .3) even if we compared the children in the 3 categories (P = .2).


CONCLUSIONS
Children born with nsPRS did not have a better prognosis of speech outcome than children born with sPRS. Respiratory and feeding problems at birth did not seem to be correlated with speech outcome. This is important when informing parents on the prognosis of long-term therapy.
de Buys Roessingh
Anthony S
AS
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Center of the Canton of Vaud (CHUV), Multidisciplinary Cleft Team, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland. anthony.debuys-roessingh@chuv.ch
Herzog
Georges
G
Cherpillod
Jacques
J
Trichet-Zbinden
Chantal
C
Hohlfeld
Judith
J
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D010855:Pierre Robin Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome