title: Pierre Robin sequence: Subdivision, data, theories, and treatment - Part 3: Prevailing controversial theories related to Pierre Robin sequence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The disorder currently accepted as Pierre Robin syndrome/anomaly/sequence (PRS) has been plagued by controversy ever since initially being described. Controversy exists not only about the appropriate terminology and etiopathogenesis of the disorder but also about its management. Therefore, clinical findings and treatment outcomes of a large database of 266 PRS cases were compared with the current state of knowledge in the scientific literature related to history, clinical description, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, theories of oligohydramnios, mandibular catch-up growth, midfacial hyperplasia, and the early management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of Part 3 debate the controversial biological theories relating to PRS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oligo-/poly-hydramnios, mandibular catch-up growth, and midfacial hyperplasia, the three in the literature most prevailing theories related to PRS, have been compared and discussed with the findings provided by this large database of 266 Siebold-Robin sequence (SRS) and Fairbairn-Robin triad (FRT) cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  History and clinical findings evaluated in this database refute the first two theories. Although manifold midfacial appearances were demonstrated in FRT cases, a third of all SRS cases presented with mid-facial hyperplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three main biological theories regarding PRS could not be verified after thorough analysis of the database.
authors: Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic, University of Pretoria, Durban, South Africa; Suite A2-Maxillofacial Surgery, The Wilgers Hospital, Pretoria, Durban, South Africa; Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors: Kurt-W
authors: KW
authors: Bütow
authors: Discipline of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S. A. R., PR China.
authors: Roger Arthur
authors: RA
authors: Zwahlen
authors: Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Jean A
authors: JA
authors: Morkel
authors: Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic, University of Pretoria, Durban, South Africa.
authors: Sharan
authors: S
authors: Naidoo
keywords: Catch-up growth; Fairbairn-Robin triad; Pierre Robin sequence; maxillary hypoplasia; micrognathia; oligohydramnios; polyhydramnios