The Effect of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis on Weight Velocity in Infants With Severe Pierre Robin Syndrome

Diagnosis and Early Management of Robin Sequence

The results of a survey of twenty-four neonatal units in the United Kingdom and Ireland are presented. A structured ten-item questionnaire was used, and demonstrated the variation in how infants with RS are diagnosed and managed. Notably, the survey revealed that a minority of infants were diagnosed antenatally. There were significant discrepancies in diagnostic criteria used and 79% of the units referred the patients to tertiary services. A preference for minimally invasive approaches to managing upper airway obstruction, such as a trial of prone positioning before progressing to a nasopharyngeal airway, was reported by 96% of the centers. A narrative review was undertaken which discusses the current practices for diagnosis and early management of Robin sequence (RS). The challenges of antenatal diagnosis, strategies to enhance outcomes through early detection and controversies surrounding the management of neonatal upper airway obstruction associated with RS are included. The results of the survey and our comprehensive review of the literature emphasize that there remains uncertainty regarding the best approach to treating Robin sequence.

Feeding Outcomes After Mandibular Distraction for Airway Obstruction in Infants

Robin sequence is a congenital issue resulting in airway obstruction, difficulty feeding, and failure to thrive. Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis is used to improve airway obstruction in these patients, but little data exists characterizing feeding outcomes following surgery. This study aims to evaluate feeding outcomes and weight gain following mandibular distraction for airway correction in infants. A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted, and patients under 12 months old who underwent mandibular distraction between December 2015 and July 2021 were included in the study. The presence of cleft palate, distance of distraction, and polysomnography results were recorded. The primary outcomes were the length of distraction, need for nasogastric tube or G-tube at discharge, time lapsed to achieve full oral feeds, and weight gain (kilogram). Ten patients met the criteria. Of those 10 patients, 4 were syndromic, 7 had a cleft palate, and 4 had a congenital cardiac diagnosis. The average length of stay postsurgery was 28 days. Eight patients achieved full oral feeds in an average of 65.6 days. Five patients required nasogastric tube or G-tube at discharge, with 3 of these patients later transitioning to full oral feeds. All patients gained weight 3 months postsurgery with an average of 0.521 kg/mo. Patients who achieved full oral feeds gained an average of 0.549 kg/mo. Patients with supplementation gained an average of 0.454 kg/mo. All patients demonstrated improvement in airway obstruction with an average postoperative apnea hypopnea index of 1.64. Further investigation is necessary to identify challenges seen in feeding after mandibular distraction osteogenesis and improve care.

Pierre Robin and breathing: What to do and when?

Robin sequence is characterized by mandibular retrognathia, airway obstruction, and glossoptosis; 80%-90% also have a cleft palate. Various treatment approaches exist, and although controlled studies are rare, objective assessment of treatment outcomes that address the leading clinical issues, namely obstructive sleep apnea and failure to thrive, are essential. Sleep-disordered breathing may be detected using cardiorespiratory polygraphy or polysomnography. Pulse oximetry alone may miss infants with frequent obstructive apneas, yet no intermittent hypoxia. Among conservative treatment options, the Tubingen Palatal Plate with a velar extension shifting the tongue base forward is the only approach that corrects the underlying anatomy and that has undergone appropriate evaluation. Of the surgical treatment options, which are not necessarily the first line of therapy, mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is effective and has been most extensively adopted. Notwithstanding, it is puzzling that MDO is frequently used in some countries, yet hardly ever in others, despite similar tracheostomy rates. Thus, prospective multicenter studies with side-by-side comparisons aimed at identifying an optimal treatment paradigm for this potentially life-threatening condition are urgently needed.

The Effect of Timing of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis on Weight Velocity in Infants Affected by Severe Robin Sequence

Background: Impaired weight gain is prevalent in Robin Sequence (RS) newborns. Although mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) has been proven to improve oral feeding, its impact on postoperative weight gain remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore whether MDO can help RS babies reach a normal weight, as well as the effect of MDO timing on weight velocity. Methods: One hundred infants with severe RS and one hundred with normal controls met the inclusion criteria for the study. Included patients underwent MDO. Weights at different timing points were recorded and analyzed and compared to normal controls. Results: After the distractor removal weights of patients undergoing MDO at <1 month and 1−2 months were close to the normal control (6.81 ± 0.93 kg versus 7.18 ± 0.61 kg, p = 0.012, and 6.82 ± 0.98 kg versus 7.37 ± 0.75 kg, p = 0.033, respectively), the weights of patients undergoing MDO at 2−3 months and 3−4 months still lagged behind (7.56 ± 1.29 kg versus 8.20 ± 0.61 kg, p = 0.000206 and 7.36 ± 1.05 kg versus 8.25 ± 0.77 kg, p = 0.004, respectively). The weights of all RS infants undergoing MDO showed no significant difference compared to the controls when they aged to 1 year (9.34 ± 0.99 kg versus 9.55 ± 0.45 kg, p = 0.254 for MDO at <1 month; 9.12 ± 0.91 kg versus 9.33 ± 0.46 kg, p = 0.100 for MDO at 1 to 2 months; 9.38 ± 0.29 kg versus 9.83 ± 0.53 kg, p = 0.098 for MDO at 2 to 3 months; and 9.38 ± 0.29 kg versus 9.83 ± 0.53 kg, p = 0.098 for MDO at 3 to 4 months). Conclusion: The MDO procedure helped patients with severe RS to reach a normal weight; and MDO intervention was recommended at an early stage for early weight gain.

A Comparison of Weight Gain Following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis and Tongue-Lip Adhesion in the Treatment of Robin Sequence

ABSTRACT

Obstructive respiratory stress and feeding difficulties in infants with Robin sequence (RS) may result in poor weight gain or loss. Following failure of conservative treatment, surgical options include mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) and tongue-lip adhesion (TLA). Whilst both techniques have demonstrated to improve airway patency and feeding behavior, an advantage of either in restoring weight growth remains unknown. This study aimed to improve procedural selection by examining weight gain following MDO and TLA. A retrospective chart review was performed for 17 RS patients that had undergone MDO and 25 that had received TLA. The mean body weight in both groups was below the 50th population percentile at birth and fell further in the period before surgery. A mixed model analysis demonstrated that postoperative weight gain depended on the progression of time and preoperative weight. Conversely, biological sex, congenital comorbidities, method of feeding, the respective cleft team, and the type of surgery did not significantly influence the evolution of postoperative body weight. In conclusion, both MDO and TLA were able to restore weight growth in infants affected by RS, though a clear superiority of either technique could not be established.

A Systematic Review of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Versus Orthodontic Airway Plate for Airway Obstruction Treatment in Pierre Robin Sequence

OBJECTIVE

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is frequently performed to address airway obstruction in patients with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS), though more recently the technique of orthodontic airway plating (OAP) has gained traction. We aimed to evaluate OAP compared to MDO for airway obstruction in PRS.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar identified all studies published in English, which involved MDO or any form of OAP as treatments for PRS. All relevant articles were reviewed in detail and reported on, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Airway (tracheostomy avoidance, decannulation rate), feeding (full oral feeding tolerance).

RESULTS

Literature search identified 970 articles, of which 42 MDO studies and 9 OAP studies met criteria for review. A total of 1159 individuals were treated with MDO, and 322 individuals were treated with OAP. Primary outcomes appear similar for MDO and OAP at face value; however, this must be interpreted with different pretreatment contexts in mind.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthodontic airway plating may be considered for airway obstruction in PRS, as some airway-related and feeding-related outcomes appear similar with MDO, per existing evidence in the literature. However, since PRS severity differed between studies, OAP cannot be uniformly considered a replacement for MDO. Further research is required to more comprehensively assess these treatment modalities inclusive of metrics that allow for direct comparison.

Function of Nasoalveolar Molding Devices in Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate: A 3-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to observe and analyze the effects of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) on maxillary arch dimensions in patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using 3-dimensional analyses.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen infants were treated using modified Khon Kaen University presurgical nasoalveolar molding devices (KKU-NAM). Dental casts were evaluated 3 dimensionally at 3 time points: pretreatment (T1), after using modified KKU-NAM for 2 weeks (T2), and before cheiloplasty (T3). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Friedman test were used to compare the maxillary arch dimensions between time points.

RESULTS

Both sides of the cleft width, premaxilla deviation, and premaxilla protrusion had significantly reduced with the use of KKU-NAM. Premaxillary rotation had significantly improved, whereas the arch depth did not change significantly. Premaxilla width, posterior arch width, alveolar length, and height had significantly increased. The anterior arch width, intercanine width, and lateral sulcus width showed no significant changes. The intraclass correlation coefficient used to test the measurements indicated substantial reliability.

CONCLUSION

The modified KKU-NAM is an effective device for reducing the severity of bilateral cleft deformities, especially in the premaxilla area.

Study on the Effect of Bilateral Mandible Distraction Osteogenesis About the Nutrition Status of Infants With Pierre-Robin Sequence

Objective: By comparing and studying the changes of food intake, weight, body length, BMI, blood albumin level and other indicators of infants with Pierre-Robin Sequence (PRS) before and after Bilateral Mandible Distraction Osteogenesis operation, to explore the effect of distraction osteogenesis on PRS patients about the improvement of nutrition status. Methods: The children with PRS who admitted to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2015 to December 2020 were selected. All patients accepted bilateral mandible distraction osteogenesis surgery, and the pre- and post-operative indicators were recorded, such as food intake, weight, length, blood albumin level and others. BMI was calculated based on the indicators mentioned above, and comparative statistical analysis was performed. Results: 1. All patients were fed with whole milk before the first surgery, and the average calorie per kg was 91.8 kcal/kg, significantly lower than the standard (100-150 kcal/kg), suggesting the overall nutritional intake of PRS patients is low; 2. t tests for independent samples were used to analyze the pre-operative and post-operative indicators. The WFA percentile increased from 14.16 ± 2.17 to 15.01 ± 1.85% (P = 0.0048), WFA z score increased from -2.40 ± 0.18 to -1.90 ± 0.14 after the surgery (P = 0.0010), LFA percentile increased from 20.04 ± 3.48 to 33.67 ± 4.29% (P = 0.0098), LFA z score increased from -2.09 ± 0.19 to -1.42 ± 0.23 (P = 0.0009), BMI z score increased from -1.95 ± 0.22 to -1.39 ± 0.16 (P = 0.0408), ALB raised from 37.06 ± 0.51 to 42.85 ± 0.30 g/L (P < 0.001), which indicating that the physique of patients improved after the distraction osteogenesis surgery, mainly was reflected by the lifting of weight and length growth curves; the body shape also improved, indicating that the patients' nutrition status after the surgery is also improved. Conclusion: Bilateral mandible distraction osteogenesis surgery has a positive effect on the nutrition status of children with PRS. This effect is mainly reflected by the improvements of the body physical indicators after surgery.

Weight Gain in Infants With Pierre Robin Sequence in the First Year of Life

OBJECTIVE

To compare growth trends among infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) to normal World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four infants with syndromic and nonsyndromic PRS (54% male) treated at an urban academic medical center between 2009 and 2017 were included. Infants with symptomatic hypoventilation underwent mandibular distraction osteogenesis (71%). Weights were recorded at roughly 1- to 3-month intervals from birth to 12 months, with ages adjusted for prematurity. The 50th percentile (P50) for this cohort was calculated and compared to WHO standards.

RESULTS

In total, 135 weight entries for 24 subjects were included. The birth weight P50 was similar to the WHO standard (females: 0.09 kg above WHO [95% CI, -0.25 to +0.43; z score = 0.19]; males: 0.38 kg below WHO [95% CI, -0.77 to 0.00; z score = -0.79]). A slower growth rate was noted among female and male infants with PRS: in month 5, the PRS P50 among females was 1.42 kg below the WHO standard (95% CI, -1.77 to -1.07; z score = -1.64). Among males in month 3, the PRS P50 was 1.68 kg below the WHO standard (95% CI, -2.12 to -1.24; z score = -2.19). By month 12, weight deficiencies had resolved in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Newborns with and without PRS may have similar birth weights, but the growth rate among male and female infants with PRS may lag behind that of unaffected infants, even when upper airway obstruction has been addressed in early infancy.