COMBINATION THERAPY USING GLOSSOPEXY AND RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY IN PIERRE ROBIN SEQUENCE

ABSTRACT

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) describes the clinical triad of micro- and/or retrognathia, glossoptosis and cleft soft palate. Glossopexy has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment in selected cases of obstruction caused by glossoptosis (generally 6 to 10 months of glossopexy period). If radiofrequency therapy (RF) can reduce tongue volume in PRS, it will be helpful in early releasing of the glossopexy. Two-day-old patient showed a PRS triad. Intermittent cyanosis, respiratory difficulty and feeding problems were also observed. The respiration was not improved and prolonged intubation increased the possibility of respiratory complications like pneumonia. The surgical intervention-glossopexy and RF was done 20 days after birth. We applied RF combined with conventional glossopexy and could get successful results while reducing the overall treatment time to 6 weeks. The follow-up until 12 months after birth was uneventful. Considering that early recovery is highly beneficial to PRS patients by reducing risks associated with glossopexy and low energy RF application is very simple and low risk to patient, our combination therapy should be considered for the treatment of airway problem related to PRS.