Long-term mandibular growth in patients with airway obstruction treated with mandibular distraction

Congenital craniofacial malformations play an important role in upper airway obstruction. One of the main causes is mandibular hypoplasia which is present in the pierre robin sequence. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is one of the most commonly used treatments for the resolution of upper airway obstruction in patients that do not respond to a conservative treatment. We performed a long term follow up of syndromic and non-syndromic patients with pierre robin sequence where the lateral xrays were studied before surgery (T1), after MDO (T2) and long-term follow-up (T3, at least 5 years). Possible complications of the surgery were also studied through panoramic x-rays and clinical controls. The results evidenced an increase of mandibular length comparing T1-T2 and a good stability during the long-term follow-up. The Sd patients presented smaller mandible dimensions. We had not found any complications during the follow-up. The scars outcomes are modest, but none of the patients requested a surgical correction. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a treatment to be considered in patients with upper airway obstruction that do not respond to conservative treatments. The results of the surgery are stable and the complications in experienced hands are low.