Bioresorbable distraction device for the treatment of airway problems for infants with Robin sequence.
Pierre Robin sequence is a well known craniofacial entity. There are numerous ways to treat the respiratory insufficiency, but sometimes surgical intervention is needed. Tracheotomy could be associated with morbidity, and distraction osteogenesis has been established as a stable method to obtain a safe airway. Distraction osteogenesis has traditionally been performed with an external device. In this manuscript we describe the feasibility of an internal bioresorbable device. Retrospective descriptive study was performed in a tertiary academic children's hospital. After multidisciplinary team consultation, 12 consecutive patients with Robin sequence were treated with this internal distraction device. The mean age at surgery was 32 days, and the average amount of mandibular distraction was 18 mm. All patients were extubated after an average of 7.5 days after the surgery. The average length of stay in the hospital was 17 days after surgery. There were no major surgical complications. A tracheotomy was prevented in all our patients, and complications were limited. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the influence that internal distraction has on the growth of the mandible and teeth. The internal distraction system seems safe for infants with micrognathia and has certain benefits when compared to the external distractor.
Cleft Palate Team, Department of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.c.breugem@umcutrecht.nl
Corstiaan
C
Breugem
Emma
E
Paes
Moshe
M
Kon
Aebele B
AB
Mink van der Molen
Aebele B Mink
AB
van der Molen
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D060666:Airway Extubation; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016268:Internal Fixators; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007902:Length of Stay; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010855:Pierre Robin Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid