[Treatment of airway obstruction with mandibular distraction osteogenesis in Pierre Robin syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) in the treatment of airway obstruction in Pierre Robin syndrome (PRS).

METHODS: From 2007 to 2009, 8 newborns with PRS were treated with MDO. The mandibular distractors were fixed after bilateral oblique mandibular osteotomy. The distraction was started one day after operation, three times a day. The distraction distance was 1.2 mm per day until it reached about 12 -20 mm (mean 15 mm).

RESULTS: The distraction was successfully completed in 8 cases with no complication. The distraction distance reached 15 mm, as we expected. The discontinuity cyanosis, inspiratory dyspnea, dystithia were improved after distraction.

CONCLUSIONS: MDO is feasible and safe for the treatment of airway obstruction in PRS.