title: Airway obstruction after lingual frenulectomy in two infants with Pierre-Robin Sequence.
abstract: Pierre-Robin Sequence (PRS) is defined as the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate and affects approximately 1/8500 births. Airway obstruction is common in infants with PRS and results from glossoptosis leading to pharyngeal obstruction. Any procedure that increases the severity of glossoptosis, such as lingual frenulectomy, may increase the risk of obstruction or aggravate existing obstruction. This report discusses two cases of significant airway decompensation after lingual frenulectomy requiring surgical intervention in infants with PRS. We suggest that lingual frenulectomy be contraindicated in infants with PRS or suspected PRS due to the possible increased risk of airway obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: dgenthe2@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Dane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Genther
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: Milton J. Dance Head and Neck Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Patti J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Greater Baltimore Cleft Lip and Palate Team, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Randolph B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Greater Baltimore Cleft Lip and Palate Team, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008035:Lingual Frenum / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010855:Pierre Robin Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Airway obstruction; Cleft palate; Lingual frenulectomy; Pediatric otolaryngology; Pierre-Robin Sequence