title: Congenital alveolar fusion.
abstract: Congenital fusion of the jaws is rare. It may be unilateral or bilateral and may involve only the soft tissues or both the hard and soft tissues. This anomaly may be seen separately or in association with other syndromes. Congenital alveolar fusion restricts mouth opening, causing problems with feeding, swallowing, and respiration. Case 1 had membranous bands between the alveoli that required tracheostomy for stabilization, followed by osteotomy for release. Postoperatively, both patients had adequate mouth opening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India. drrahulg78@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Rahul K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jadhav
authors.forename: Abhaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Beejal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sanghvi
authors.forename: Hemanshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Sandesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parelkar
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007569:Jaw Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013580:Synostosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome