Mandibular Distraction in Glossoptosis-Micrognathic Association

Glossoptosis (Posterior Displacement of the Tongue) During Sleep

“…In our series of children studied with dynamic sleep fluoroscopy, glossoptosis, shown in one forth of patients, was one of the most common causes of airway obstruction. Glossoptosis has been most commonly described in children with micrognathia, particularly Pierre Robin syndrome [16,17]. However, micrognathia was present in only three of the 17 patients in this series.…”

“…Potential treatments for glossoptosis include noninvasive therapies such as the use of positive airways pressure devices [18]. Surgical interventions to either reduce the volume of the tongue or reposition the mandible have been described for patients refractory to medical treatment [17,19].…”

Upper Airway Motion Depicted at Cine MR Imaging Performed during Sleep: Comparison between Young Patients with and Those without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

“…At imaging, the tongue "falls" posteriorly during sleep, abutting the velum (ie, soft palate) and the posterior wall of the pharynx and obstructing the airway (16,30). Surgical interventions to either reduce the volume of the tongue or reposition the mandible have been described for those cases that are refractory to medical management such as the use of positive pressure airway devices during sleep (31,32).…”

Disruptive Therapy Using a Nonsurgical Orthodontic Airway Plate for the Management of Neonatal Robin Sequence: 1-Year Follow-up

“…25 Poor control of the proximal segment can result in abnormally displaced condyles, TMJ ankylosis and trismus, as well as condylar resorption. 26 The permanent and long-term sequelae of TMJ dysfunction and growth perturbations are unclear; this would be an important area of research to determine risks and benefits. Other sequelae of MDO such as permanent tooth bud damage, marginal mandibular nerve damage, or facial scarring have been reported in the literature since MDO was first applied on neonates with RS in 1998.…”