Mandibular distraction osteogenesis in Pierre Robin sequence: application of a new internal single-stage resorbable device

iologically significantobstructive apnea in the neonatal and infant period. This may be life threatening and is most often treated by tra-cheostomy. To avoid tracheostomy or allow for early decannulation in severely affected infants and children, the authors have devel-oped a new class of neonatal and infant man-dibular bone distraction devices. These de-vices require a single operative procedure for placement and no operative removal is nec-essary. Fifteen infants (aged 7 days to 11 months; mean age, 3 months) and five chil-dren (aged 2 to 8 years; mean age, 5.5 years), 10 boys and 10 girls, with severe obstructive apnea and Pierre Robin sequence were treated with the mandibular infant devices over a 24-month period. Tracheostomy was avoided in 14 patients, whereas five of six patientswhohadprevious tracheostomywere decannulated after mandibular distraction. The final tracheostomy status in one patient will be determined after surgery for gas-troesophageal reflux. There were no major complications and no structural devic