Mid-term effect of mandibular distraction osteogenesis on clinical and polysomnography findings of patients with Robin sequence.

The study aimed to evaluate the mid-term effect of MDO in children with Robin sequence (RS). In this case series, 13 patients with RS who underwent MDO were followed up for more than 5 years. Data were collected using clinical history and physical examination. Polysomnography was performed and endoscopic evaluations of the airway was performed if patients still presented obstructive signs of upper airways and/or dysphagia. The patients' clinical signs improved in the mid-term after versus before MDO (inspiratory noise, 92,3% vs 30,8%; apnea, 84,6% vs 7,7%; cyanosis, 76,9% vs 0%; desaturations, 69,2% vs 0%; and suprasternal/intercostal retractions, 61,5% vs 0%; p < 0.05). Statistically significant improvement was noted in the following polysomnographic parameters evaluated in the pre and postoperative mid-term: apnea-hypopnea index, total sleep time and desaturation index (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of the study it seems that MDO is an effective surgical option for children with RS, not only in the short term as previously demonstrated, but also in the mid-term.

The effect of mandibular distraction osteogenesis on airway obstruction and polysomnographic parameters in children with Robin sequence.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal surgical technique for the management of patients with Robin Sequence (RS) has not been established. One of the most commonly used surgical techniques, mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO), is still controversial because of its potential risks and the lack of clear evidence of its efficacy. OBJECTIVES: To assess variations in airway patency, clinical symptoms, and polysomnographic parameters in children with RS who underwent MDO. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 38 patients with RS were evaluated before and after MDO. Symptom severity was classified using a grading scale for RS clinical manifestations. Patients underwent flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy, and the images were classified by a blinded examiner using two validated grading scales for airway obstruction. Patients not requiring ventilatory support underwent a polysomnography. RESULTS: Patients' symptoms significantly improved after MDO, as shown by a decreased score in the grading scale for RS clinical manifestations (preoperative score of 2.20 vs. postoperative score of 0.81; P < 0.001). The two endoscopic grading scales also showed a statistically significant postoperative improvement in airway obstruction (first scale: preoperative score of 1.56 vs. postoperative score of 0.92; second scale: preoperative score of 2.19 vs. postoperative score of 1.16; P < 0.001 for both). Moreover, there was a statistically significant variation in the following polysomnographic parameters evaluated pre- and postoperatively: apnea-hypopnea index, total sleep time, oxygen desaturation nadir, and oxygen desaturation index (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MDO seems to be an effective surgical option for children, as shown by postoperative improvements in clinical symptoms, endoscopic grading scales, and polysomnographic parameters.