Published online Nov 20, 2014. doi: 10.5321/wjs.v3.i4.30
Revised: November 3, 2014
Accepted: November 17, 2014
Published online: November 20, 2014
Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate that results in an obstruction of the airway on inspiration and impeding feeding. The tongue of infants with PRS fall back toward the posterior pharyngeal wall (glossoptosis) due to receding chin produced by mandibular micrognathia (small jaw) or retrognathia. This causes a serious condition with potentially severe, life-threatening airway obstruction. If untreated, this problem can lead to exhaustion, cardiac failure, and ultimately death, especially during the early months of life. Actually, in the majority of PRS infants, these symptoms can be managed by placing the infant in the prone position until adequate growth of the jaw occurs. If this type of treatment fails, the infant then should be considered for other conservative therapies or surgical interventions. This paper reviews surgical interventions such as tongue-lip adhesion, mandibular traction, mandibular distraction, tracheotomy and conservative orthodontic approaches, and presents a baby treated successfully with an orthodontic appliance.
Core tip: Pierre Robin sequence is a severe congenital condition characterized by triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate. Glossoptosis and micrognathia may result in obstruction of the airway on inspiration and impeding feeding. If untreated, this problem can lead to exhaustion, cardiac failure, and ultimately death, especially during the early months of life. This paper give detailed reviews supported with figures for surgical interventions and conservative orthodontic approaches, and also presents a baby treated successfully with an orthodontic appliance. Orthodontic nutrition plate appears to be a viable alternative in treatment of Pierre Robin sequence to surgical treatment modalities that are more aggressive in nature.